The effect of alcoholism will be felt long after the alcoholic has passed on. It is one of those diseases that leaves emotional scars that continue to affect generation after generation if recovery is not sought and the disease arrested. Many of us cannot explain with reasonable sanity why our behaviour has become so warped. The use of the will does not provide effective defense in controlling our behaviour patterns.
The AA program through its 12 steps has the capacity to fundamentally alter my thinking. It takes me to, the seeking of and effectively using a Higher Power to control my emotions and restoring me to sanity or to rational sane behaviour.The pyramid effect of alcoholism is frightening when we see the condition of society as it now has become. Rational emotive therapy is the only way out for us to save future generations. Divine intervention through prayer is one of the most effective means of application. In other words intercessory prayer.
My dad's drinking affected me and my sister. Her behaviour is still insane because she did not seek recovery. My children have been saved the misery of the effects of their grandfather's drinking, because I sought recovery. My sister on the other hand has crippled her family emotionally and I am powerless over that situation.
I needed to read this today. I am the only member of my family over four generations to ever seek help for this disease. I too see the effects on my relations through non action.
There is no history of alcoholism in my family that I'm aware of; even though there were rumors surfacing about a certain uncle who like to get his drink on from time to time, making a complete fool out of himself in the process but nothing worth mentioning.
However, there is one thing worth mentioning and that is this: I am a recovering alcoholic...and I need to be reminded of that every day, regardless of a genetic predisposition or not. There is no cure for my alcoholism -as you already know, just "A daily reprieve contingent upon my spiritual conditioning". I have AA, my sober network and this forum to thank for that -one day at a time, thanks be to God.
~God bless~ A quote from "The Twelve and Twelve" of "AA"
-- Edited by Mr_David on Saturday 14th of May 2011 11:29:37 PM
Thanks Gonee,my mom was a 'closet alcoholic" and never did come to admission,my 46 year old daughter in Texas also is in denial from this illness,and my 5 grandchildren (4 of them in late teens ,early 20;s)are on the edge...no signs in my granddchild(like 16 months old. only a ton of self centeredness:) :) But yes on a more serious note this ain't nothing to play with... To God be the glory and God's grace and mercy the way to the light.........
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Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
Thank you, Gonee, and fellow AAs. everyday is a new day, and my spiritual condition is what keeps me sober. my God and my relationship with God keeps me sober physically and emotionally. The steps start out with the physical and lead to the spiritual. we are powerless over others and their behaviors, we are responsible for our own actions and reactions. i am powerless over alcohol and what it does to my life, so i do not take a drink. Only God and fellow AAs were able to show me this truth. my life is so much more full of love and peace. hold fast to the promises and they will be reality. jj/sheila
