Today I was reminded of the work of Dr. Tiebout, a pioneering figure in the treatment of alcoholism and early supporter of Alcoholics Anonymous. He concurred that "the characteristics of the so-called typical alcoholic are one who is narcissistic with an egocentric core, dominated by feelings of omnipotence and intent in maintaining, at all costs, their inner integrity." In a careful study of a series of cases regarding the alcoholic by Sillman, Dr. Tiebout reported that Sillman felt he could discern the outlines of a common character structure among problem drinkers and that the best terms he could find to describe said group were, "defiant individuality and grandiosity." Tiebout concurs with Sillman and states, "...inwardly the alcoholic brooks no control from God or man. The alcoholic is and must be the master of their destiny." Tiebout continues, "...granted the more or less constant presence of these character traits, it is easy to see how the person possessing them has difficulty in accepting spirituality and God. Spirituality, by its demand that the individual acknowledge the presence of God, changes the very nature of the alcoholic. So, if the alcoholic can use the spiritual tools of recovery and accept the concept of the presence of a power greater than themselves, then he or she by that very step modifies presently and possibly permanently his or her deepest inner structure and when done so without resentment or struggle then they are no longer typically alcoholic."In my own experience with the disease of alcoholism, the belief in God in and of itself is not enough, as I had always had a belief in God. That belief must also carry with it the component of TRUSTING in God to the point of making a decision to turn my will and my life over to His care. All we have today is contingent upon our relationship with God - in this day and in this moment.
Written By Armand
My difficulty in both finding and accepting spirituality was the very same difficulty that compelled me to pick up my first drink which I didn't really want but desperately needed. Alcohol immediately complimented my inherent grandiosity, and, day-by-day, it magnified my defiance. From that point on, fear and false pride honed my entire approach to life in a deeply dark and destructive way. All of Dr. Tiebout's primary alcoholic characteristics defined drunken me. Only the merciless beating of alcohol could ready me for surrender. And only The Twelve Steps could affect acceptance of my unbearable life. Somehow, then, I was given The Gift of the fellowship I needed to guide me to the Big Boob program of recovery. By integrating all Twelve Steps into my life in such a way that they changed my life, I found The Power Within me to enable me to love you, and through you, to love myself. From defiance to reliance.
ReplyDeleteMichael recovery as measured by the program spelled out in the 12 Steps of alcoholics Anonymous is fueled by a surrender that leads to a life of peace and joy. A life that we knew nothing about until we were humbled by a self imposed crisis...Thank you...Armand
DeleteYes, I lived out that hyper exaggerated delusional belief in my own importance justifying every unrestrained journey into my God given appetites with unholy zeal that deliberately left God out of the equation. I became a bottomless layer of gilt and shame terrified by the ever-present fear of having my true self discovered and inner "daemons" exposed. There was... no good in me to be found. To be honest, there was no me at all. Just a self created caricature, a mere bundle of personas alternately exercised to gain acceptance and ultimate possession of the person, place or thing I craved.
ReplyDeleteYet, the effects of God's presence were everywhere and all about me. In overheard conversations, the random kindness of a stranger, witnessed displays of true love and affection, a baby's furtive glance. That was the life I craved in fleeting moments of sanity. But I knew it would only came about if I could summon the courage to completely surrender to His simple plan. A courage I simply didn't possess. A courage that could only be given by a Devine hand.
Gods gift of faith was finally given and as it drove me to my knees and the Ultimate Author of that vision I finally began to apprehend the radical change encountered in "How it Works." I asked for His protection and care with complete abandon and as I laid that wretched life before Him all the accumulated gilt and shame of 37 years fled into infinity... And miraculously, in its place, now resides the very Holy Spirit of God. The memory of that first encounter is as fresh in my mind as it was some 30 years ago. Today, I'm strangely thankful I discovered alcohol and the inevitable misery it brings. Without it, I would never have walked through the doors and into the fellowship of AA. I would have never encountered the Steps that lead to the "Peace of God that surpasses all understanding." (Philippians 4:7) I would never have come to know my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And my beloved brother, neither would you.
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic love when you wrote "a self created caricature." In our quest to be someone we became everyone. With the transformation of thought that occurs through the 12 Steps of AA we become the human being that God created us to be with no need to be someone other than who we are...Thank you...Armand
ReplyDeleteArmand, did you instantly trust God (by simply making a decision) or did your trust in God develop over time like trust develops over time in our human relationships? Was there anything that you did that helped you to trust God? Thanks, Noreen
ReplyDeleteNoreen a decision defined as a final choice to turn our will which is our thoughts and our life which is our behavior over to the care of God takes trust. It is not that trust is built over time but rather the depth of that trust and the experience necessary to desire the depth is what takes time...Thank you...armand
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