Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Reflections on the Road to Recovery from Alcoholism- "All the help we can get"

With the tragic passing of Robin Williams, there is much talk in the meetings I attend regarding the topics of addiction, depression,  anxiety and other mental disorders.  

Here is the bottom line for me:  in the context of the recovery world, I'm not ashamed to admit... I suffer from alcoholism, an addicitve personality, anxiety and depression. None of these mental disorders hinders me from living a full and meaningul life. I'm sure many in the outside world who don't know about my illnesses...  would probably even think I have my act together pretty well.

But that doesn't matter. What really matters is that I understand and accept that I need to address all of my illnesses. That means I need to see medical doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists... and I have and will continue to do so.

I also need to work out regularly, pray and meditate, do new things like yoga,  drink minimal amounts of caffeine (not doing so well there at the moment),  eat regularly, and get the best sleep possible.

The reality that I have to do things I don't want to do and not do things I want to do really frustrates me at times...

But here is the question.: do I want to be as well as I can be? Am I willing to do the things that I need to do for the good of myself and those around me?

Am I willing to work for my sobriety (as defined in the dictionary as "soundness of mind")?

There is, at time,s a subtle reference in AA meetings "that AA is all we need."  Typically there is not much more added to the statement of  "need."  People can say and believe whatever they want.

The full program of AA, with the help of my God, has saved me from a "hopeless state of mind and body." No question about that. And I will be forever grateful that I found the program.

However, it is clear to me that I, along with many others in AA,  need more help than what's entailed in the full program of AA. Some get this and take action, others don't. Some of those who don't get outside help suffer unnecessarily, end up in mental institutions or and even die... without drinking. 

The following is what the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous says on the matter.

Page 133 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous  (First Edition):

"Now about health: A body badly burned by alcohol does not often recover overnight nor do twisted thinking and depression vanish in a twinkling. We are convinced that a spiritual mode of living is a most powerful health restorative. We, who have recovered from serious drinking, are miracles of mental health. But we have seen remarkable transformations in our bodies. Hardly one of our crowd now shows any dissipation.

But this does not mean that we disregard human health measures. God has abundantly supplied this world with fine doctors, psychologists, and practitioners of various kinds. Do not hesitate to take your health problems to such persons. Most of them give freely of themselves, that their fellows may enjoy sound minds and bodies. Try to remember that though God has wrought miracles among us, we should never belittle a good doctor or psychiatrist. Their services are often indispensable in treating a newcomer and in following his case afterward."

2 comments:

  1. As much as I appreciate everything AA has done for me, I truly believe that only going to meetings and working the steps would not have been enough to keep ME sober. Just as I don't feel that only going to church on Sundays would have been enough, I have met with much resistance whenever I have said this in a meeting. I agree with you Rick--a complete program must include a balance of Church, AA, Work, Healthy Living, Personal Relationships, Relaxation and Alone Time.

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  2. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and honestly, Steve. Rick H.

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