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
What could possibly be stronger than the mind? The will? No, the will is simply the workhorse of the mind. Psychology tells us that the process of making up one's mind is second only to the process of changing one's mind. Transforming one's mind, especially the mind of a chronic alcoholic, is, as you point out, the ultimate challenge and the ultimate necessity for us. For as The Big Book iterates, for us to drink is to die. Since the problem is centered in the self-centered mind and is accompanied by the physical compulsion to drink, only a spiritual intervention can keep us from ruin and death. My experience is that it is only by integrating all Twelve Steps into my life in such a way that they have changed and become my life that my thought process has been transformed. The source of my thinking is no longer propelled by my selfish mind but by The Power Within me from whose guidance and direction I have received myself as I was born to be. The ultimate Gift of Transformation.
ReplyDeleteMichael a transformed life propelled by the will if God is a genuine life with experiencing... 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 "Divine 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 it was in Step 10 when I cried out " what is it that He wants from me when I received the answer, all of me...Thank you...Armand
ReplyDeleteThank you for touching on what makes me "powerless over alcohol." The message that we have a two-fold disease, both physical and mental, is getting somewhat lost in certain quarters of AA now. I was in AA for years before I came across the true definition of "powerlessness"; from the message being spread at the hip and cool meetings I attended, I thought that Step One was just a matter of "Don't drink and use no matter what." Unfortunately, as the Big Book makes clear, if I'm a real alcoholic, it's more like the opposite: my mind will always lead me back to the first drink and tell me it's okay to take it. As you point out, it is only through the transformative power of the 12 steps, a spiritual awakening and the grace of God that I can successfully "stay stopped."
ReplyDeleteDan the failure rate in AA as evidenced by those who go to meetings without integrating the 12 Steps of AA into their life in such away that it becomes their life is very very high. One day when I am not so busy I am going to write on the myths or falsehoods in the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. .Don't drink and use no matter what" could very well be one...Thank you...Armand
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