In Chapter 2 of Alcoholics Anonymous titled "There Is A Solution" it is stated, "These observations would be academic and pointless if our friend never took the first drink, thereby setting the terrible cycle in motion. Therefore, the main problem of the alcoholic centers in his mind, rather than in his body." So, although it is true that an alcoholic has a physical allergy it is the mental obsession which is of the utmost importance - a mental obsession that does not limit itself to alcohol.Alcoholism is a unique disease in that it is two-fold (as are most addictions in their nature). We have a physical allergy which ensures us that each and every time we put alcohol or substances of any addictive nature into our system we get sick and we get drunk or we have the rush we chase after until we get into all kinds of trouble. But of even more importance is that we have this mental obsession, which ensures that even though we don't want to drink and/or use, sooner or later our minds will tell us it's okay to do so. We will put the alcohol or the substance into our system thereby triggering the physical allergy and we will get loaded once again.
Dr. Silkworth, the medical benefactor of Alcoholics Anonymous, in the letter he supplied to AA suggests that the thought processes of the alcoholic mind had to be transformed. His letter goes on to state that this transformation of thought must occur and is essential if an alcoholic is to recover from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. In Bill's story he says, "Simple, but not easy, a price had to be paid. It meant destruction of self centeredness. I must turn in all things to the Father of Light who presides over us all" - a clear description of the transformation which must occur.
This transformation of thought was difficult for me, even though I understood that it must occur. The difficulty was that I had no understanding of the power and pervasiveness of my human nature and how all-encompassing it is. I felt a lot of fear in attempting to let go of my mind which was propelled by my human instinct as it was all that I had ever known. But it is here, in this time and at this moment, when I want to let go and know I need to let go. It is here in this moment now that I must trust in God so that through His grace the transformation of thought may happen.
Written by Armand
Whatever the nature of the disease, I somehow became inhabited by a sense/feeling that I simply wasn't enough. It wasn't that I was less than you, it was that I wasn't me - fully. In recovery language, I was experiencing "the spiritual thirst of my being for wholeness" that Carl Jung pinpointed. I possessed and, therefore, was an unformed form that yielded many manifestations including alcoholism and all its consequences. It has only been by integrating The Twelve Steps into my life through the guidance of one who knows and understands that my form has been changed. Where/what is the proof? In this moment, I know who I am in the presence of The Power Within me and I know that I am enough. The disease of "More" has been mitigated, arrested, and relegated to its proper place as long as I live in the moment and help another. My spirit no longer needs spirits to be awakened. Through the program of recovery, it has been awakened by its original source and transformation has occured.
ReplyDeleteMichael Amen...Thank you...Armand
DeleteArmand,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for touching on a state of being 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."
It was through the 12 Steps of AA and the testimony of the founders that ultimately proved to this gratefully recovering alcoholic the undeniable power of Jesus Christ. And through Him, I have found all of the above so written, to be absolutely experientially true.
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic.
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic the message lost in the historic growth of AA is that the surrender of self is the price paid to be a dare it be said "a recovered Alcoholic."..Thank you so much...Armand
DeleteIf I have lost perspective, I must believe that it can be regained. If my thinking is negative and closed, my mind must be changed. I may come to a place where I think there is no solution to my problem, then I need have the desire to help myself and a willingness to ask God to help me. It requires honesty, open-mindedness and willingness for me to see the truth. By applying the serenity prayer to my life, praying and asking God to show me how to trust in him I can come to believe that God will do for me what I cannot do for myself . It is often that my experience will allow me to change and grow. I ask God to take away my selfishness and self-centeredness and fears and to guide and direct my thinking.
ReplyDeleteMy experience has been that there is no middle of the road solution and that when life seems impossible I have but two alternatives, to go on to the bitter end blotting out my situation as best I can or to accept spiritual help. I honestly want spiritual help and believe that as I trudge this road of happy destiny that I can have a vital spiritual awakening that will allow a huge emotional displacement, that my ideas, attitude and outlook will change. As I honestly face my problems I know I can recover and be well.
Thank you, Jessica
DeletePhil Welcome as this is your first comment. if one once to recover from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body there is as yo saids 'no middle of the road solution. I encourage you to continue to comment as the comments are read by many>>>Thank You...Armand
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