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My abf was on the rage yesterday and saying how bad the world is, corrupt, evil, dirty, selfish, ect..on and on he went. He sounded paranoid almost about the world. My question is what is that about and is that an alcoholic trait to view the world as a bad place...I should say to him today I did not go out and do anything as the world is a bad place and I feel safe here in the house...lol
Joker the earliest description of the chemical alcohol to me was "mind and mood" altering. My alcoholic/addict wife and I were ingesting that chemical and at times when we did the picture of the world we were in and on was severely altered. The chemical is powerful...it isn't like milk or cool aid. It is toxic, anesthetic, a thinner and can remove paint and more. Run it around your brain cells and the pictures come out weird. Paranoia is a mental by product as well as dementia. Poor guy is sick. Hope he decides to run and get help. ((((hugs))))
Yes. Alcoholics view yhe world through crap colored sunglasses and that is so they have a readyade excuse to check out and drink. Then when they drink, they get consequences and their world appears crappier and crappier. Vicious cycle. Hop off the crazy train.
This dynamic is so strong that it permeates into alanoners as well....except that instead of the evil world taking away one's choices and joy, it becomes the alcoholic taking it all away. Detach. Look for joy everywhere and don't get sucked into the alcoholic / codependent abyss.
I have several qualifiers, each one of them very different but they all have that one thing in common. They are SO angry at the world and negative!!! Everything is stress, everything is a situation, absolutely everything sets them off. I have one who reminds me of Eeyore. You could say "what a beautiful day" and they would reply "I'm sure it is, for everyone but me"
I don't understand much about this just yet, but from what I do - the negativity is necessary to keep their alcoholic behaviours in tact.
My question is what is that about and is that an alcoholic trait to view the world as a bad place?
I'd call it Projection. He is most likely projecting the self contempt and disappointments within himself out onto the world. Does he do this to you? He is suffering with self contempt and SHAME, in my opinion! Does he have a Program or would he undertake some Self Esteem studies to get over his self contempt?
I like the crap couloured glasses too!! lol. I agree it affects both the alcoholic and the al anon. I have some people who would qualify for Al Anon in my life who are just as similar as the Alcoholics in my life. They also look at the world in that way. And I myself bought into that view for so long until I started Al Anon. Now I don't buy into that view anymore. I am grateful that I am able to recognize that negative view as just that the other person's negative views....not my reality. In my situation I feel free to disagree. I don't see the world that way, I have faith and my faith helps me through difficult times. Everywhere I go I run into great people. I see people helping each other, caring about each other, being kind to each other. I can have empathy for the people in my life who wear the crap coloured glasses because I know what it's like to look at the world that way. I am grateful every day not to be wearing those glasses anymore and now I do what I can (small or big) to make the world a better place. To remind myself there is hope, love and kindness in the world. What helps me when I start to find myself affected by other's negative views of the world I think of that prayer on the Just for Today bookmark, It says something like"....Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon, where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy." I can't change the view of the people in my life but I can let it begin with me and I can do my part to remind myself that the world isn't such a bad place after all.
I am working my steps,using tools to get me through each day.
I have a sister that's never drank or drugged to the best of my knowledge ,she has all the behaviors of an alcoholic then some never having picked up a drink.
I love that KT reminder from just for today,it holds so true to us all.
Thank you joker for sharing this,great topic! Hugs lu
Mahalo KT for that post. Where I once rejected that prayer from the Just For Today pamphlet today it never leaves my spirit. "Lord make me an instrument of thy peace..." Please. ((((hugs))))
This is my husband to a tee. He rages to no one for hours about everyone, everything, every place we have ever lived. Then he remembers nothing. Your post helped me realize I am not alone. thanks.