First Words Found Written on Alcoholism

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1 First Words Found Written on Alcoholism Who is the man with bloodshot eyes and many wounds? It is the one who spends long hours in the tavern trying our new mixtures. Don t let the sparkle and smooth taste of strong wine deceive you. For in the end it bites like a poisonous serpent; it stings like an adder. You will see hallucinations and have delirium tremens, and you will say and do foolish, silly things that would embarrass you no end when sober. You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea, clinging to a swaying mast. And afterwards you will say, I didn t even know it when they beat me up let s go have another drink. (The Living Bible, Proverbs 23:29-35) Brief History on Alcohol Abuse Treatment Problem Solution Recovery Plan 1785 Dr. Benjamin Rush Total Abstinence None (Disease) 1813 Temperance Movement Temper Your Drinking None (Social Problem) 1826 Lyman Beecher Total Abstinence None (Sin & Weakness) 1840 Washingtonians Total Abstinence Fellowship (Moral Problem) 1900 Emmanuel Movement Spiritual Experience None (Psychological) 1928 Oxford Group Spiritual Experience Six Tenants (Sin) 1930 Carl Jung M.D. Psychic Change/ Oxford Group No Opinion Spiritual Experience 1933 W. D. Silkworth M. D. Psychic Change None (Disease) W. D. Silkworth M. D. Carl Jung M.D. Oxford Group (Disease, Allergy) Spiritual Experience Fellowship 1932 Rowland Hazzard Spiritual Experience / 6-Step Program 1934 Ebby Thatcher Psychic Change 1934 Bill Wilson 1935 Dr. Bob Smith Results: 1939 Published book, Alcoholics Anonymous 12-Step Program Bill Wilson Problem: Step 1 Solution: Step 2 Recovery Plan Disease Spiritual Experience A.A. Steps 3-12 Recover Introduction Page 1

2 Harmonious Action and Synchronicity Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) is one of the greatest organizations of human restoration in the history of mankind. Quietly, humbly, and with singleness of purpose, A.A. serves mankind and never asks anything in return. Millions have found solutions and salvation from terrible problems. From its very humble beginnings, its great success continues to rely on the maintenance of those humble beginnings. A.A. has never advertised, yet we re millions strong. We are represented in almost every country, city and town in the world. We serve -- with honest concern -- all classes and every type of human being. We answer every request for help: from judges, doctors, clergy, families, any individual. We ask nothing in return. We don t even take credit for our work. We don't want recognition. All who serve do so from a position of gratitude, knowing we would be dead or worse if this organization didn't exist. There are no dues or fees and we are self-supporting. We are not governed by rules and we hope our actions show concern for all. None are refused or can be kicked out. Choice in becoming a member is left up to each individual. Our growth and strength come from the benefits received. No one is in charge and our leaders are trusted servants. Our attraction is a renewed life. We are bound by a common problem and a common solution. If we weren't here, millions would not enjoy a productive and purposeful life. A. A. rescues human beings who have reached a state of hopelessness that only our kind can know. Lives are transformed from restless, irritable and discontent to happy, joyful and free. We do this gladly, as our very own existence depends on it. We believe in a single word that transforms us individually and collectively: synchronicity. Synchronicity is a set of events which seem coincidental and not connected, but -- when combined -- work for the common good. We believe this harmonious action is from a power greater than ourselves, expressed through our many successes. Our plan rarely fails, for all of us that were doomed only had to learn to become honest and willing to follow this simple plan of action. Introduction Page 2

3 Anonymously Simple: A 12- Step Guide Bill W. spoke at an A. A. meeting the same day of Dr. Bob s death. The following quote and its explanation came from a recording of that talk. Earlier that day Bill and Dr. Bob, the co-founder of A. A., met. Dr. Bob s last words to Bill W. were: Don t screw this thing up. Keep it simple. Dr. Bob knew he was close to death, but Bill did not. Rather than burden Bill with his condition, Dr. Bob said nothing of his illness. He gave Bill W. a favorite hat (one that Bill had stolen several times and Lois had returned) saying: It s supposed to rain, so take this hat. You have a lot of work ahead of you and can t afford to get sick. It wasn t until after he heard the news of his death, Bill realized that Dr. Bob, in his usual, humble way was simply saying goodbye. He was like that, making it about someone else instead of himself. This is written to try to honor Dr. Bob s last request to Bill W. We hope to make the program simple to do and understand. Today, the universal principles of the A.A. program are helping approximately 60 addictive and obsessive behaviors. This proves the universal principle that all can benefit from this treatment. Our hope is to help a broader reach of people. This is done out of respect and admiration for the tradition of keeping A.A. in its intended form for alcoholics. We wish to stay as close to the original idea but give it a universal tone. We are only introducing the basics of recovery. You will have to apply them with daily practice and help others do the same if you wish to live a contented sober life. Where the word alcohol is used, merely substitute it with your addiction or compulsive behavior. Since we invite and encourage participation by other addictions, we realize by tradition this can t be a closed A.A. meeting. We hope all present are open to helping in this endeavor. Introduction Page 3

4 Since there are so many different types of anonymous addiction groups using and amending the 12 Steps with conference permission, we are assured of our right to do the same. We hope this material is helpful. Physical sobriety is essential but emotional sobriety with serenity is the ultimate goal. Our first question: does anyone here believe that we were designed to die from addiction or worse, live in its grip and cause hurt and harm to all we were intended to love? Please answer one at a time, yes or no. If you answered no, then you have automatically agreed that there is a design to life. Attraction is the intended purpose of this program -- improving our character to the best of our ability and beginning to correct the harm we may have caused. Bill W. was rocketed from his addiction; to what he referred to as the fourth dimension. We seriously doubt this will be your experience. The usual experience of recovery happens slowly over a period of time as we complete taking the steps of recovery. Steps one, two and three are about surrender and developing the essentials of honesty, open mindedness and willingness. We then initiate a simple proven plan of action that removes the obsession to use with steps four through nine. Steps 10 through 12 assure a new life with continuous possibilities of growth in this lifetime path called recovery. This is a powerful design for living sober. We recover from our addiction and maintain that recovery simply by daily action of the steps and helping others do the same. So if you care to live and be contented with sobriety we suggest you pay close attention and record exactly what you do. That way, when your time comes to help, you can pass it on. Thank you for helping us on our journey through recovery. We will take a few moments to share our experience of struggling and surrender, and then talk about what got you here. We will try to emphasize what role dishonesty and honesty played in our addiction and recovery. Introduction Page 4

5 Addiction: A Fatal Disease or Worse (Before Step 1, let s look at some definitions) The prefix dis means away from; thus disease translates as away from ease. Most alcoholics and addicts stories start with I felt less than or not part of, and that disappeared with my first drink or drug. An allergy is an unhealthy reaction to a substance. For the alcoholic, that reaction is known as dipsomania; which is defined as an irresistible urge for more once alcohol enters the bloodstream. An alcoholic is defined as one who can t stop entirely even when they want to and once they start, have little or no control on the amount they drink. An obsession is defined as an idea which overrides any others to the contrary. The obsession becomes an imbued memory for ease and comfort or euphoria. If things were good we wanted even better or to celebrate, and when things were bad we wanted the ease and comfort of relief. Addiction: the combining of obsession and allergy or addictiveness. A blackout is when one continues to drink with little or no memory of what is taking or has taken place. To pass out means to lose consciousness. The amount consumed has reached a toxic level and if continued, death would occur. Led by the mental obsession (memory for ease and comfort) to the first drink (hit), an allergy (or addictive reaction) kicks in which creates an irresistible urge for more, which accelerates with each drink. This special combination of obsession and allergy occurs in every alcoholic and never occurs in the social drinker. A social drinker has a normal reaction to the toxic substance of alcohol. That is to say, his body reacts by signaling the brain to slow down or stop. About 9 out of 10 people have this normal reaction, so they can drink with ease. Introduction Page 5

6 Let s look at the some of the differences Normal: enzyme signaled Abnormal: no enzyme and allergy 9 out of 10 people 1 out of 10 people Drink to be social Brings on memory of ease and comfort As soon as alcohol enters the bloodstream this effect happens: Brain signals slow down Doesn t like, feels out of control Idea for more creates nausea Stops with ease Maintains low tolerance Avoids excess Drinks & quits with ease Brain signals speed up Likes, feels in control Let s party Drinks until something stops them; often until they pass out/black out Develops high tolerance Mostly excessive; alcoholism Can never safely drink Do you have the normal or abnormal response to alcohol? Does your drinking (drugging) fit the definition? Did you know if you re an addict without the allergy you still can t drink? If you understand what has been presented up until to now then you will also understand what powerlessness is and the need for a power greater than yourself. Self- management can t work. Let s go through and discuss Step One Introduction Page 6

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