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
Michael C.
ReplyDeleteThe suffering of the alcoholic is also unique as it is not confined to the person with alcoholism. Families, friends, strangers - all affected by the chaos and defiance of suffering behavior. Swearing off, vowing, promising, even cold-turkey quitting - all possible but not necessarily the essential elements of recovery. As you continually point out, it is only by putting the Twelve Steps of Recovery into daily practice that we and all around us can experience the desired results. Those results are also unique insofar as they present to the alcoholic a new and wonderful world of peace and wholeness. And all are affected to one degree or another. This outcome has been proven in millions of alcoholics and millions more of those we touch. We get better and then help the world around us get better as we give what we’ve been given away. Uniquely, we transform from instruments of pain to instruments of peace.
Michael a day at a time a better life for us and those around us...thank you...Armand
ReplyDeleteThanks Armand,
ReplyDeleteI just love Dr. Silkworth's testimony. Alcohol was the principal vehicle I personally preferred to overcome the self centered fear of loosing what I thought I had, or never getting what I thought I wanted and then; to justify 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. It then became the all too temporary elixir in a vain attempt to numb and avoid the painful consequences of a sober conscience that reeled back in terror during any fleeting sober moments of sanity.
Yet, a casual glance at the world at large confirms that these regrettable characteristics are not the exclusive estate of the Alcoholic mind. Self centered fear and abuse of our God given natural appetites appears common to all of mankind as stark evidence of our universally failed and fallen nature. Even the most sober minded and spiritual among us suffer and succumb to cravings of misdirected appetites from time to time and any denial of our true condition is the primal delusion that opens the door to a desperate and lonely journey down a personal highway to hell. It's a core spiritual state that cannot even be recognized let alone overcome without Devine intervention through the gift of Gods 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 universal solution he discovered. Romans 7: 14 - 24:
" We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 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. 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. 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."
"So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 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. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
Before I finally surrendered to Christ 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 was of no avail until I fully accepted that I'm completely, utterly and constitutionally incapable of overcoming my own will and fallen nature 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, assurance and serenity 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 so True that in my nature if the drive to do something is ignited within me even though I know it is wrong and when rational I do not want to participate in it I cannot stop myself from doing it. Also knowing that it may not end well a consequence has little if any effect to control my behavior...Thank you...Armand
DeleteMy mental obsession, the darkness of the disease needed a spiritual solution, my spiritual malady is fierce and under the lack of alcoholism I was driven to AA. I need to straighten out physically, mentally and spiritually.
ReplyDeleteThe 12 steps allowed me to find God, in finding god I find myself. I can live more comfortably in me. god gives light and healing. My mind and body heal and my spirit is free. Step 3 is where I made the decision and I moved forward one step at a time..I clear the wreckage of the past, be present, continue to take inventory and maintain conscious contact with God. God shows me the way, I help others and practice these principles in all my affairs. I find patience, love and tolerance for myself and others.