The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
There is a post on the AA message board under "Positively Negative" as to why the alcoholic drinks. Also, while you're there--there's another excellent post "Anger".
Just recently attendend an Open AA speaker meeting. The speaker said alcohol was a rocket for him, a feel really good thing! But over time, the alcohol [what he considered to be his medicine for what was wrong with him because he was never enough} did not work for him anymore. He was, in the end, always depressed.
I remember my daughter sharing with me how she was so depressed that drinking or suicide seemed like her only two options. She also had told her then boyfriend that she loved alcohol more than him. What an eye opener for me! They drink because they have a disease. The become sober because something inside them finally wants to live and stay sober. cdb
I remember my first beer. It tasted so terrible… yuck. I could not wait for my second beer. Instant drunk. At first the intake of a toxic substance was respite for me and my fearful mind. In the end I drank because it was Tuesday, if it were a rainy day, a sunny day, had a good work day, a bad work day, I saw a bird, did not see a bird, step on a crack in the sidewalk. Oh, and one of my favorite retorts for someone checking for my actions when drink was, “Well, how am I supposed to act when I am drunk, jeez?” . Biologically for an occasional drinker, the first drink or two relieves socially or societal instilled behavioral inhibitors and the drinker feels relief, a good feeling. However, alcohol is a depressant and drinker will be depressed after a several drinks. No inhibitions, down, angry, badly mired thinking… nice combo, hun?
I love your signature-- it's so creative. Also, your words, as I don't post much in response to what you write, but have read so many of them and am inspired by your strength and openness in how you express yourself so completely. I as you, do the same. My words are strong and in turn, can sometimes lead to intimidate people unintentionally. However, what is most important is that I take what anyone has to say about me and always give those individuals the benefit of the doubt BEFORE jumping to conclusions or getting defensive. I believe that is what makes most of us special here in the posts is that we all can express ourselves fully and some can take criticism and not take it as a personal attack, but an opportunity to grow within ourselves. Which leads me to this topic, Why They Drink? I don't think we can ever truly know why they drink-- sure we can see depression or lack of hope or faith, but what is at the root of that cause?
Ya know, they say God is closest to us in times of trial and tribulation and I often find myself wondering if it is because of so much tragedy in this world that alcoholics don't enjoy life-- Do ya think they internalize what is negative around them or in the world? Just some thoughts I've had for quite some time cause it seems that of the people I know who drink, all appear to have a deep spiritual side to them with a good heart deep down. They are extremely insightful and full of emotion at one time or another. Additionally, when listening to shares and reading posts, it seems that this is the one thing everyone seems to recognize in their a. We see how deeply they do love when there not controlled by the disease. Just some thoughts.... :)
