Alcoholism is a unique disease in that it is a two-fold malady. There is the physical allergy that ensures each and every time we put alcohol into our system we'll get sick, drunk, and into all kinds of trouble. But more paramount - we have a mental obsession that ensures, even though we don't want to drink, sooner or later our mind will tell us it's okay to pick up the intoxicating substance, triggering the physical allergy. We will surely get drunk again.
Dr. Silkworth, the chief medical benefactor of AA suggests that the thought process of the mind has to be transformed. The thought process of the mind of an alcoholic must have a psychic change. This change is essential and must be complete. As Dr. Silkworth stated, "... once a psychic change has occurred the very same person who seemed doomed, who had so many problems they despaired of ever solving them, is easily able to control their desire for alcohol, the only effort necessary being that required to follow a few simple rules."
The transformation of thought that is necessary to recover from a seemingly hopeless state of both mind and body occurs through the grace of God. This Grace can and will be received through the practice of the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Having admitted complete defeat; having admitted to our innermost selves that we are alcoholic; understanding that our human power could not overcome our alcoholism; having begun to trust in God as a solution to our problems we arrive at Step Three, "... decided to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God." Our will is our thoughts and our lives are our behaviors as we think before we act. We turn over our thoughts and in doing so, behavior follows suit.
We pray, "God, I offer myself to Thee, to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self that I may better do thy will. Take away my difficulties so that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy power, Thy love and Thy way of life. May I do Thy will always."
This unique disease cannot be remedied using that which causes it - self-centeredness and fear. Turning our broken, scarred selves over to a much Higher and Mightier power is the simple solution to this bewildering and unique disease.
Written by Armand
This Comment Is From A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic
ReplyDeleteThanks Armand,
I just love Dr. Silkworth's testimony. As my high school football coach used to say, "Lets break this down and take a look at it." In my personal journey alcohol was the principal poison used to alter my one time near healthy psychic state in order to empower, then escape the consequences of my own self centered fear, pride and covetousness which exquisitely describes the motive force that propelled the every thought, word and action of a man who was absolutely inwardly convinced that the entire known universe was uniquely and exclusively created just for him.
Yet, a casual glance at the world at large confirms that these regrettable characteristics are not the exclusive estate of the Alcoholic mind. They are common to all of mankind and evidence our universally failed and fallen nature. Even the most sober minded and spiritual among us suffer the cravings of misdirected appetites from tome to time and any denial of our true condition is the primal delusion that opens the door to a desperate journey down the highway to hell. It's a core spiritual state that cannot even be recognized let alone overcome without the Devine intervention of grace through faith. One of the greatest saints who ever lived wrote of this nearly 2000 years ago and I'll defer to the problem he identified and the solution he discovered. Romans 7: 14 - 24:
14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
It was a forgone conclusion that even when I inwardly agreed that the course I would choose would ultimately lead to self destruction I would still "throw the dice" as my appetites demanded hoping for a better outcome, and that, my friend is insanity... Simple knowledge of my condition is of no avail until I fully accepted that I'm completely, utterly and constitutionally incapable of overcoming my own will and, any self powered effort in that direction was tantamount to placing a hair net over the space shuttle with the expectation of preventing the launch.
Any attempt at practicing these eternal principles, without acknowledging an absolute dependence upon the only source of Power capable of manifesting them in space and time may, for a brief period, produce a "white knuckle" form of recovery, but none of the peace, serenity and assurance that is the immutable fabric of a life lived in the spiritual arms of the one and only Prince of Peace. There is only One who can enter a tomb to breathe life into the fetid state of a long dead soul or provide a Damascus Road meeting with the Author of Light. That one is God. May we all, by His grace, reach out and answer the call of the one true and living God who is longing to reunite with His child and is as close as the mention of His name...
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic as I have surrendered to the idea that my thought process must be propelled by the will of God through inspiration, there are times in my life where my behavior doesn't reflect that. It is how I know I am not in God's will when I see such behavior...Thank you...Armand
ReplyDeleteIt's unique because it enveloped all of me - mind, body, soul. Alcoholic told me nothing other than what my mind wanted to hear. It gave me temporary relief while leaving scarred remains and a completely dead spirit. Simply quitting alcohol wasn't a real solution as that didn't address the real problem. Yes, my thought process change had to be thorough and it had to be complete. On my own, I was not the man for the job. I had to find The Power Within me - the Man for the job. And I had to do exactly as the program of recovery suggests - by incorporating The Steps into my life in a way that they became my life regardless of whatever my mind could conjure. Psychic change is ultimately felt in the mind but generated only by an awakened spirit. I have been granted a new level of consciousness and being. The Ultimate Gift of recovery.
ReplyDeleteMichael the solution to our alcoholism and any other problem that may exist is a vital spiritual experience. The Third Step is where a decision is made for that to occur...Thank you...Armand
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