Featured in "The Doctors Opinion" of Alcoholics Anonymous is a letter from Dr. William D. Silkworth, the Medical Director of Townes Hospital in New York City (a renowned hospital during that time for the treatment of alcoholics). One of the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous and primary author of Alcoholics Anonymous, Bill W., was under Dr. Silkworth's care on three separate occasions there. In Dr. Silkworth's letter he states, "We doctors have realized for a long time that some form of moral psychology was of urgent importance to alcoholics ... unless [the alcoholic] can experience an entire psychic change there is very little hope for his recovery."
Dr. Silkworth and his colleagues believed that not only did the thought processes of the mind need to be completely transformed but the source of what powered these thought processes altered as well. The American Heritage Dictionary defines psychology as "the science that deals with mental processes and behavior" and it holds the word moral synonymous with the word virtuous. Therefore, what the experts formulated was that the thought processes of the mind had to become virtuous. In order for this to occur the mind of the alcoholic could no longer be propelled by its own human nature or instincts but rather by the will of God through inspiration. As the latter part of the 11th Step bids, "...praying only for the knowledge of God's will for us and the power to carry that out."
The psychic change is the very core component of the solution to alcoholism - to any and all addictions, really. Through the grace of God (the source that powers the thought processes), a transformed and virtuous thought process is possible and it is real. If one experiences such a change they can recover from this disease of alcoholism and to any and all other vices, habits and addictions this disease encompasses.
Dr. Silkworth and his colleagues believed that not only did the thought processes of the mind need to be completely transformed but the source of what powered these thought processes altered as well. The American Heritage Dictionary defines psychology as "the science that deals with mental processes and behavior" and it holds the word moral synonymous with the word virtuous. Therefore, what the experts formulated was that the thought processes of the mind had to become virtuous. In order for this to occur the mind of the alcoholic could no longer be propelled by its own human nature or instincts but rather by the will of God through inspiration. As the latter part of the 11th Step bids, "...praying only for the knowledge of God's will for us and the power to carry that out."
The psychic change is the very core component of the solution to alcoholism - to any and all addictions, really. Through the grace of God (the source that powers the thought processes), a transformed and virtuous thought process is possible and it is real. If one experiences such a change they can recover from this disease of alcoholism and to any and all other vices, habits and addictions this disease encompasses.
Written by Armand
Edited by Caitlin Alexandra
The Doctor's Opinion uses the word "urgent" to denote the importance of some sort of moral psychology to the alcoholic. But "its application presented difficulties beyond our (the doctors)conception." Science couldn't get at it. Psychiatry couldn't do much more than make a feeble attempt. Medication only made it worse. Only "the powers of good that lie beyond any form of synthetic knowledge" could and can address and bring peace to this urgency within the alcoholic. As you point out, it is by seeking the understanding, and taking the action required to incorporate The Twelve Steps into my life until they become my life, that this internal moral yearning can be satisfied. That satisfaction has come in the form of an awakening of my innermost self, my spirit, to The Power Within me Who has always been there and always will be. Does that transformation represent a psychic change? I believe it does. There has been a shift from my "thinking" to my "feeling" in terms of how my life is lived according to me through the direct guidance of The Power Within me. Today, I have the life I've always wanted, and the sense of self than can only be found through the process of giving life to my relationship with That Power through the experience of action. A vital spiritual experience.
ReplyDeleteMichael A thought process propelled by the will of God leads to peace, serenity, love, forgiveness empathy and a life that is complete. There is no more looking outside of ourselves when the solution lies within us...Thank you...Armand
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