I read these posts and feel so bad for what alcoholics have to deal with. As a family member I can relate to how other family members feel but never really understood the pain the alcoholic feels.
I've written before regarding my dying (ex)husband and I wanted to share that in reading some of these posts and seeing the suffering he is experiencing it has opened my eyes to the torment of having the disease of alcoholism. I have come to realize it is not something people just decide they want for their lives...oh I just feel like drinking and ruining my life so leave me alone....it's a daily battle for the addicts. I think sometimes we don't understand that because of the defensiveness the addict has when we "attack" their addiction. They don't share with us the battle they are experiencing or at least my (ex)husband didn't.
I really feel it is overall one of those things that is "behind closed doors" that people don't want to talk about or sometimes even believe there is a problem. I think although the public should be informed with all the talk and publicity of what it can do they really don't get it or see the outcome. You think don't really think about the people living on the street as starting out as a normal living person with a home, family, career, etc. These are people that are just like us but the addiction took all that they had.
I wish there was more we could do for the addicts, a way we could get to them and let them know we may not understand the battle they deal with but that we are here to help if they will just let us. My (ex)husband never really turned it over to let God or people help him. Now it's too late for him at age 45. He always went through the processes of recovery for everyone else but never himself so he just couldn't overcome his addiction.
I just want to say to the addicts "hang in there, let the right people help and believe in yourself". I'm so sorry you have this addiction you have to battle everyday. I can only hope that my (ex)husband's battle will be over and he will finally find peace when the day comes that he has left this world and gone home.
Phil said
Jan 7, 2005
God Bless you Lady. Im kinda lost for words, and feel very humble, and emotional after reading your post. Its a family disease, and is devastating to all involved.
Donna_C said
Jan 7, 2005
Hi
Bill Wilson told the assembled members,"A.A.'s Twelfth Step, carrying the message, is the basic service that our fellowship gives; it is our principle aim and the main reason for our existence. A.A. is more than a set of principles; it is a society of recovered alcoholics in action. We must carry A.A.'s message; otherwise we ourselves may fall into decay and those who have not yet been given the truth may die. This is why we so often say that action is the magic word. Action to carry A.A.'s message is therefore the heart of our Third Legacy of Service." The truth of these words also applies to other Twelve Step Fellowships.
The challenge we meet in the Twelfth Step is to transfer our practice of the program's great principles into the whole of life.
I believe the program is my life and am making a difference. I sponsor many, apply the steps each day, lead by the power of example. When I say this, we cannot do this alone. I have the God of my understanding helping me. Meetings, Meetings Meetings!!! Service work is very much a priority with me, in fact I must get going. I monitor from 1-6.........yikes!!!! My point is, we are all making a difference whether small or great, it's better than it use to be years ago. There is hope although we cannot save all of them, is reality. HOPE= HANG ON PEACE EXISTS
I read these posts and feel so bad for what alcoholics have to deal with. As a family member I can relate to how other family members feel but never really understood the pain the alcoholic feels.
I've written before regarding my dying (ex)husband and I wanted to share that in reading some of these posts and seeing the suffering he is experiencing it has opened my eyes to the torment of having the disease of alcoholism. I have come to realize it is not something people just decide they want for their lives...oh I just feel like drinking and ruining my life so leave me alone....it's a daily battle for the addicts. I think sometimes we don't understand that because of the defensiveness the addict has when we "attack" their addiction. They don't share with us the battle they are experiencing or at least my (ex)husband didn't.
I really feel it is overall one of those things that is "behind closed doors" that people don't want to talk about or sometimes even believe there is a problem. I think although the public should be informed with all the talk and publicity of what it can do they really don't get it or see the outcome. You think don't really think about the people living on the street as starting out as a normal living person with a home, family, career, etc. These are people that are just like us but the addiction took all that they had.
I wish there was more we could do for the addicts, a way we could get to them and let them know we may not understand the battle they deal with but that we are here to help if they will just let us. My (ex)husband never really turned it over to let God or people help him. Now it's too late for him at age 45. He always went through the processes of recovery for everyone else but never himself so he just couldn't overcome his addiction.
I just want to say to the addicts "hang in there, let the right people help and believe in yourself". I'm so sorry you have this addiction you have to battle everyday. I can only hope that my (ex)husband's battle will be over and he will finally find peace when the day comes that he has left this world and gone home.
Hi
Bill Wilson told the assembled members,"A.A.'s Twelfth Step, carrying the message, is the basic service that our fellowship gives; it is our principle aim and the main reason for our existence. A.A. is more than a set of principles; it is a society of recovered alcoholics in action. We must carry A.A.'s message; otherwise we ourselves may fall into decay and those who have not yet been given the truth may die. This is why we so often say that action is the magic word. Action to carry A.A.'s message is therefore the heart of our Third Legacy of Service." The truth of these words also applies to other Twelve Step Fellowships.
The challenge we meet in the Twelfth Step is to transfer our practice of the program's great principles into the whole of life.
I believe the program is my life and am making a difference. I sponsor many, apply the steps each day, lead by the power of example. When I say this, we cannot do this alone. I have the God of my understanding helping me. Meetings, Meetings Meetings!!! Service work is very much a priority with me, in fact I must get going. I monitor from 1-6.........yikes!!!! My point is, we are all making a difference whether small or great, it's better than it use to be years ago. There is hope although we cannot save all of them, is reality. HOPE= HANG ON PEACE EXISTS
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