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.
Today's reading talks about accepting Alcoholism as a disease. The writer had a difficult time seeing it as an illness and felt that if one really wanted to stop drinking then they would/could. A turning point was when a member of Al-Anon compared alcoholism to Alzheimer's disease. We see our loved ones slip away without their being aware of what's happening or being able to stop it.
They look perfectly normal on the outside yet the disease is progressing. They become more and more irrational and difficult to be around. When they have lucid moments and seem to be themselves, we want to believe they are well yet these moments pass and we despair. Before long, we end up resenting the very people we once loved.
Accepting the disease concept helps us to separate the disease from the person. What a gift for our own sanity, serenity and recovery.
Today's reminder --- When I accept that alcoholism is a disease, I am forced to face the fact that I am powerless over it. Only then can I gain the freedom to focus on my own spiritual growth.
Today's thought --- "A family member has no more right to state, "If you loved me you would not drink," that the right to say, "If you loved me you would not have tuberculosis..." Illness is a condition, not an act. From A Guide for the Family of the Alcoholic
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Upon arrival to recovery many years ago (AA), I heard that alcoholism was/is a disease. I listened carefully, read all that I could find and believed what was shared. I saw some get recovery and saw some who could not. I readily admit I still had an inkling of moral dilemma and choice with each scenario and kept to my own side of the street.
When I found myself devastated, destroyed and distraught over the disease in my sons, and arrived at Al-Anon, I was confronted yet again with this fact. While I had believed this before, I now had to accept it. Acceptance was hard for me as well because I (ego) believed if they wanted a better life, they'd do as suggested in recovery. I really had to accept that I was powerless over this disease in them, even though they were of my flesh and blood. I did struggle for a long while and when I finally accepted this, all that stood between me and healing in recovery was my fear.
I am grateful that I was able to move beyond believing to accepting. I am grateful that Al-Anon helped me to understand and accept that I can love my qualifier and hate the disease. (((Hugs))) to all - make it a great, great Friday!
I pulled my quad muscle last night at softball. I'm out for the weekend at least and possible longer. My healing/recovery is dependent upon my body - I am powerless over this but sure does hurt! Send me some healing 'mo-jo' please family!!
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Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
Good Morning IAH. Thanks for sharing on this important reading. I love your ESH and can so relate. I see the three most important words to my recovery printed firmly on this page= Acceptance (I can no longer deny reality) Powerlessness( I cannot fix it) and disease ( medical condition where no one is to blame). It is all a process, however once I did arrive at acceptance of the" disease "concept, my serenity and life improved. Sorry to read that you have been injured. Sending healing thoughts on the way. Rest up
IAH, thank you for sharing this reading today. The comparison of alcoholism to Alzheimer's was true in my experience. If we can think of the sufferer as having a deformed brain, just like someone who has a deformed limb, it might help us have more empathy for them.
What stands out for me is the word "acceptance." Whether it is in regards to alcoholism as a disease, or living life on life's terms or letting go of expectation.....it boils down to acceptance.
Lately, that has been my focus in so many situations....and it keeps my mind from twirling ( so much ).
Thank you for today's message and I hope you heal quickly, IAH!!
Good afternoon and thank you for your share IAM. Comparison of alcoholism to Alzheimers is so very true. You watch the person you knew turn into a stranger that does and says unimaginable things. I have watched my youngest AS do and say things that he condemned his Dad and Brother for years ago. I just pray for him keeping in mind the son I know sans-serif the disease. Hope you are on the mend soon IAH
Realising alcoholism as an holistic disease makes the most sense to me. There's no way anyone would truly choose to lose what one loses within it. As a double, loss of personal dignity tops the list. The progressive nature of it, even with long remissions sometimes years, I've seen time and again. At an AA meeting i heard " i wasn't a bad person, i was a sick one". I apply that to me and to all affected, can't hate a sick person.
Thanks all for the shares and ESH. My quad does feel better which is good news - I didn't do bad damage just strain....I'm trying to be good to me and rest - not always easy to do!! I appreciate the well wishes!
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Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
