What does this mean to you?

Rob84 · MIP Old Timer

What does this mean to you?

Pythonpappy · MIP Old Timer

I would like to ponder something for a minute ... what does the following statement mean to you?

If tempted, we recoil from it as from a hot flame.

I think that if we spend the time learning and practicing the program and the principles of AA, we develop

a 'reflex' to the presence of alcohol ... and that reflex is to jump back from it as if from a hot flame ... much

like when we have a car pull out unexpectedly in front of ours, we react by hitting the brakes ... and if your

child is in the front seat with you, you react by putting your right arm up in their defense ...

My observation is this ... Bill, in trying to convey his point, used 'reflexes' as his example of our learned reaction

to 'danger' ... I'm amazed at his choice of words and of the mental image he projected ... I do believe that everyone

has had the experience of getting burned ... some of us more than others ... but the very image that pulls to us is

one of fright and fear ... few pains are out there that compare to being burned ... some reflexes are natural and some

are learned ... no matter, it's the example that is so perfect in making his point ...

Were you aware that in the 'old West', that the 'gunslingers' who challenged each other to a gunfight, and drew their

gun 1st, were way more likely to lose? ... How?, do you ask ... because of 'reflexes' ... yep, it's a fact that you can 'react'

to a movement quicker than initiating that movement through mere conscious thought ... ergo, the last to draw his gun,

usually won ...

Keep your 'reflexes' sharp my family, love Ya'll,

Pappy

Mr_David · MIP Old Timer

I agree Roger. It's kind of like the recoil mechanism on a gun. When fired, it kicks backwards -kind of like our sober instincts. Our first inclination is to take a step backwards as remove ourselves from harm's way -just like fire and flesh. When the flame touches our hand we remove it quickly, especially when it burns. The same goes for alcohol. When those alcoholic tendencies begin to arise we are once again confronted with a life or death decision: Recoil and run or drink again and possibly die. I choose life, if only for today.

There was a topic at my morning meeting that kind of through me for a loop. The topic, of course, was handling stress. Then, a person who I haven't seen in a while gave us a very interesting response that no one took lightly. He said, his first sponsor died last year after 30 + years of continuous sobriety. That part really didn't scare me as much because people die every day. But the reason why he died, did. His house had to be torn down because of the extensive water damage caused by Hurricane Irene. That in turn caused him to drink again, and eventually he died. That's not my plan, but plans do change. Please Lord don't let that be me. Be safe everyone...

-- Edited by Mr_David on Saturday 27th of October 2012 06:38:06 PM

Pythonpappy · MIP Old Timer

Ah Chaya, ...

I think it safe to say that most all of us have been in your shoes ... We had good intentions and then poof, our old habits and our old way of thinking got in the way ... don't feel too bad, though physically, you probably do ... mentally? ... it's tough to start being sober and stay that way ... one key is to NOT give up ...

We recently lost a brilliant young lady to this disease from this forum ... smart, personable, and funny ... she, like me, seem to make our program more 'difficult' than it needed to be ... it really is very simple ... we just need to spend every minute we can in meetings and just don't drink ... after a few weeks it starts getting easier and easier ... you may have heard us speak of Alex this past week ... she was the type to deeply 'analyze' everything, just like me ... she and I always had to understand, everything ... there had to be an explanation ...

I recall a conversation with my sponsor one time ... I told him I DO NOT UNDERSTAND!!! ... He said, 'that's it and don't you EVER forget it' ...

He said:

Theres two things you must remember every day for the rest of
your days

1. No matter whats goin' on in your life You Do Not
Understand.then you'll have understanding

And when you quit trying to understand, then you can enjoy
it.

2. No matter what your situation is, .its never them .. never
her, never him never God, its YOU that must
become different than you ever have before.

AA is where we learn to become different ... different from the alcoholic you know so well ... AA is also the place we come to learn to be free ... we break the bonds of alcoholic 'slavery' here ... why not join us?

Love you and God Bless,
Pappy

-- Edited by Pythonpappy on Sunday 28th of October 2012 12:30:56 PM

pinkchip · MIP Old Timer

I recoil at the thought of relapse because I've put too much into my recovery. I hope it stays that way.

mikef · MIP Old Timer

I found that are Step 10 promises are a culmination of our practice and work in our previous steps.Not only in RECOIL,but also in losing the fear,not really interested,sanity was more availabe etc..... Today,with the application of our spiritual principles,I have also learned to RECOIL from many things beside the poison,,,my self centeredness,my need to be right ,,my inner life prejudices,and so many more shortcomings and defects of my humanity... For me, I can remember the exact place,day and emotional acceptance of utter defeat when I totally surrendered and began my recovery.The real miracle was "losing that desire to use"(drink alcohol)I don't know exactly when that happened and I don't really need to ,I just DO KNOW that thru God's grace and mercy and my willingness to do the work and that daily journey toward our fit spiritual condition IT DID!, .BUT I dont fool myself I am in recovery a day at a time,I am not cured,I will always be alcoholic and I do the daily work to ensure not refunding my misery...Thanks for share Pappy,hope you are feeling better...... smile

Chaya · Senior Member

I wish I would have done some recoiling today. I felt so good getting up early and going an AA meeting as well as my Al Anon meeting. I stayed for fellowship for almost an hour after. My plan was to come home and lay out by the pool and read or maybe take my dog for a walk. Instead, I came through the door and started drinking. That was really the last thing I thought I'd do today. I only had 2 beers left in the fridgedaire and I didn't throw those out the other night with the liquor because I don't really like beer. Knowing it wouldn't get me loaded enough I took SOMA and Xanax with it. Now hours have passed since I got home and all I did was go to sleep. I feel like crap. My head is spinning and I'm just laying here eating all sedated. I don't even feel good right now. It just happened so fast. I hadn't drank for 3 days and I didn't think it was that hard or that big of a deal though. I can go a long time without drinking. As always I'm the one getting in my own way.
Chaya

Chaya · Senior Member

Went to another meeting feeling just awful, got numbers, left and drank some more. It really wasn't as satisfying tonight, not with all that stuff floating around in my head from the meeting. I said I wouldn't drink, then I would only drink a little and control what I say and do, and then that I wouldn't drive. Well, I failed at all of my goals. I think I really need to listen to what I heard tonight about "yet." There isn't much separating me from the others in the rooms except that the terrible things that have happened to them haven't happened to me yet. One guy shared that he is facing prison time and that it may be his higher power's will for him to suffer the consequences so he can be an example to others who will in turn make better choices. It's time for me to pray that I really do something with what I heard in the meetings and on this board.

Frodo · MIP Old Timer

Who else but an alcoholic will swear black and blue that they are not going to drink, and then do it anyway? Keep coming back and things will get better. It's not easy but it is simple.

To the OP: The idea of drinking makes me feel like vomiting. If I am offered a drink (as I was the other day) I feel very queasy as if I was offered a glass of rancid milk.

Feeling sick never felt so good.

Chaya · Senior Member

I need you guys right now. it helps to write all this. In bed at 2 and up now at 6. Set my alarm for a 7 am meeting. U need to get there tired or not. You know, I had that recoil after getting violently ill from a combination of tequila, whiskey, and gin a couple years ago. I didn't drink for almost a year. The first time I did I thought I was going to vomit as soon as it touched my lips but I wanted that drink and did it anyways. I ruined my recoil. I need a re-recoil.

Pythonpappy · MIP Old Timer

Hey Sweetheart, ... you will find that if nothing else, AA will ruin what little pleasure you have from drinking now ...
just the very fact that there is a solution to our drinking problem, staring us in the face, will cause us to 2nd guess
each and every drink ... well, I guess when we get to the 4th, 5th, &10th drinks, we actually lose the ability to think period ...

You have not YET experienced some of the things that most of us hasn't already done ... join us in recovery, it's a life you cannot
possibly imagine right now, it's wonderful ...

Pappy

justadrunk · MIP Old Timer

Wow - great things said here Pappy - thanks, reading this today, and todays gift this morning sure did seem to fit my life perfectly as always! There is no way there is no way WE can't do this... I would love to join you : )