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.
Written by Armand
My moral psychology dilemma was simple: I wanted to be good but couldn't help being bad. I wanted to be strong but couldn't help being weak. I wanted to have character but preferred comfort. I wanted to get outside of myself but was locked into a self-made prison. All of this existed in my mind. And all of it was the result of my fear-based, pride-driven abysmally low opinion of myself. Alcohol was the answer but never the solution. In the program of recovery, I've learned that my alcoholic thinking must discontinue to exist if I am to live as a free man. Incorporating The Steps into my life led me to The Power Within me and changed my life. My thought processes began to be powered by something I didn't fully comprehend. But action was the key to moving my life forward. Dr Silkworth had treated over 50,000 alcoholics before meeting the finally sobered and enlightened Bill. He used one word to ascribe to each and every alcoholic he'd seen - hopeless. We were basically left for dead. Today we can live in love, freedom and joy. And, for me, the ultimate joy is in giving myself away.
ReplyDeleteMichael You are not a miracle but certainly whaqt has happened for you is...Thank You...Armand
DeleteArmand,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for touching on the psychic change referred to by Dr. Silkworth which inarguably references the miracle of conversion which is so often misunderstood then tragically twisted into a reformulated metaphorical pilgrimage that will never bring us into the "promised land of sobriety." If I might, I would share the following regarding "the benign little Dr. who loved drunks," Dr. William Duncan Silkworth and whom he believed the "Father of Light" and the "Devine Physician" to be, as related and published by Dick B. many years ago.
"Shortly before his death, the author spent an hour with Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, friend of A.A., the Rev. Sam Shoemaker, and Bill Wilson. Dr. Peale told me of the conversations he had with Bill Wilson about Bill's conversion. However, until 1997, I had never heard the following account by Peale about Dr. William Duncan Silkworth. It can be found in Norman Vincent Peale, The Positive Power of Jesus Christ (New York: Foundation for Christian Living, 1980), pp. 60-61. It appears under the title "The Wonderful Story of Charles K.":
"Charles, a businessman in Virginia, had become a full-fledged alcoholic; so much so that he had to have help, and fast, for his life was cracking up. He made an appointment with the late Dr. William Duncan Silkworth, one of the nation's greatest experts on alcoholism, who worked in a New York City hospital [the Charles Towns Hospital].
Receiving Charles into his clinic as a patient, the doctor gave him treatment for some days, then called him into his office. "Charles," he said, "I have done everything I can for you. At this moment you are free of your trouble. But there is an area in your brain where you may hold a reservation and that could, in all likelihood, cause you to return to your drinking. I wish that I might reach this place in your consciousness, but alas, I do not have the skill."
"But, doctor," exclaimed Charles, "you are the most skilled physician in this field. When I came to you it was to the greatest. If you cannot heal me, then who can possibly do so?" The doctor hesitated, then said thoughtfully, "There is another Doctor who can complete this healing, but He is very expensive."That's all right," cried Charles, "I can get the money. I can pay his fees. I cannot go home until I am healed. Who is this doctor and where is he?"
"Oh, but this Physician is not at all moderate as to expense," persisted Dr. Silkworth. "He wants everything you've got. He wants you, all of you. Then He gives the healing. His price is your entire self." Then he added slowly and impressively, "His name is Jesus Christ and He keeps office in the New Testament and is available whenever you need Him. Dr. Peale then describes the healing of Charles through the power of Jesus Christ."
This "Good News" is the clarion call being found through out all of the Bible. Even a quick study of just three Old Testament verses, 2 Chronicles 7:14-16, written three thousand years ago reveals, in its entirety, the spiritual process and promise of all 12 Steps of AA. "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear them from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.16 For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually." It was through the 12 Steps of AA, the testimony of the founders and the undeniable power of Jesus Christ that this gratefully recovering alcoholic has found all of the above so written to be absolutely experientially true.
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic.
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic I can never hear enough about the history of AA and the old timers whom have shown me the way...Thank you...Armand
DeleteWhat a great summing up of what I need in order to recover 'some form of moral psychology.' There is a stark contrast of the before I stopped drinking and the after I stopped drinking picture of my life, each having no resemblance to the other and the only thing that's changed is that I no longer drink alcohol. Each day that I work the steps and take the suggestions and keep my conscious contact with God keeps me away from the first drink. My daily reprieve is contingent on the maintenance of my spiritual condition. This is how the moral psychology manifests itself. The change is dramatic and I have to mine this limitless lode for the rest of my life. It's such a gift.
ReplyDeleteAnne welcome back. You were missed. Yes it begins with putting the drink down and Through the grace of God it stays down...Thank you...Armand
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