Whenever I start really diving into the fellowship, I become incredibly interested in other types of compulsive disorders (as an alcoholic, my compulsion is to drink, and all my thinking revolves around drinking.)
So, as I have tons of free time on my hands this week I began watching documentaries on other peoples compulsions. Anorexia (refuse to eat), Trichotillomania (consistantly pulling hair conscious of it or not), Onychophagia (nail biting), Dermatillomania (skin picking) just to name a few.
A common theme I have noticed in watching these documentaries is that upon interviewing, some of the afflicted people will mention that their disorder is "similar to alcoholism" in that its not just a behavior that they can just "knock it off". That even if they are in recovery... maintaining a healthy diet, not pulling out their hair, or not pulling out their nails... that its like being an alcoholic "there are millions of alcoholics out there who just dont drink".
So even if I get annoyed some days, feel that having this disease is just a pain in the butt, Im eternally thankful that there is a well known program out there. Not only for the Alcoholic who still suffers, but that we (the still drinking and the recovering problem drinker) have become an example for those out there suffering with other types of compulsive behaviors.
And I am also thankful for them. That they have shed new light on the phrase "we have become powerless", that the act of drinking is a compulsion, an obsession.
Or, I could just be talking out of my butt. Thanks for reading.
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sober: showing no excessive or extreme qualities of fancy, emotion, or prejudice
Hey Ruhig, ... ... ... Great observation ... and good point ... I too, am grateful for this program, and for being a part of the fellowships that offer a solution to others in whatever ways they find inspiring ... If it helps others to review and copy our program when other methods don't work, then, more power to them ... and may God grant them strength to overcome their addictions ...
Thanks, Pappy
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Thank you Ruhig. Nice observation. Just my thoughts here.......
To me this gives the second half of step 1 new meaning. My life was unmanagable and alcohol was my solution. I believe you could replace the first half of step 1 with whatever your solution may be. Could be the things mentioned above, people, gambling, eating, not eating, alcohol or drugs. Whatever is used to get outside of myself and seek relief. I've used many of these things in addition to alcohol. All with the same purpose and delusion that it would provide me with happiness. I guess that's why there's many 12 Steps programs with only the first half of Step 1 different.
The good thing is there's a common solution. The Spiritual Malady being the root cause of these compulsive disorders. The 12 Steps and a HP arrest the malady so we can go on living happy and productive lifes without being tied in the bondage of self. The 12 Steps and a HP of my understanding has done for me what I could never do on my own. I'm grateful for that.
having a program is a God send, acknowledging i need a program to find sanity and sobriety and personal growth is so important for me. after rehab for alcoholism i went straight to Ebay and implusively started buying things.... the girls in my sober home told me i was replacing my drinking with buying things.... it took awhile to see the insanity of that, but only thousands of dollars later, it finally sunk in, too. i spend a lot of time on my PC, so have to watch my time and set boundaries for myself. anyway, AA has saved my life and is helping me grow spiritually in all the areas of my life, if i just let God into all the areas of my life. i am lucky, fortunate, blessed, all of the above, i am accountable for my actions and willing to share with others how my God, AA, the steps, and the fellowship gave my life back to me. jj/sheila
Yup - totally spending too much money now here. *raised hand*
I went to the dollar tree for 1 thing yesterday and left with a bill of 115 dollars. That means I bought a whopping ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTEEN more things than I went in for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yikes!
But I realized immediately, that I wasn't thinking things through - just like with drinking - and I'm going to be talking with my sponsor about this very thing tonight.
(although, I do send out a lot of "thinking of you" type cards, and did stock up on about 30 of those - but still!)
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Thanks for everything. Peace and Love on your journey.
Mine at the moment and for a long time since childhood is food (amongst other things eg. overexercising, not eating, codependency). I have been following the overeaters anon program since realising the connection. It's interesting that one of the foods I abstain from is sugar. The drink I loved was bourbon and coke. Boy I could gulp it down quick, a lot faster than my friends. Then I'ld be back for more.
Makes sense now, my body loved the sugar and any high carbs.
I'm so greatful for the program. It is really helping me to sort things out.
