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.
Good morning MIP. Today's reading discusses how alcoholism is a family disease and like other diseases, there are symptoms. For the alcoholic, mood changes and blackouts are two examples. For friends and family, symptoms similar to the drinkers might include obsession, anxiety, anger, denial and feelings of guilt. Our reactions to alcoholism affect our relationships and the quality of our lives. In recovery, we learn to recognize and accept that we've been affected by a disease and can heal.
In time, we discover feelings of self-worth, love, and spiritual connectedness that help us counteract the old responses. No matter how deeply we've been affected, Al-Anon can restore us to sanity.
Today's reading has a great quote - Alcoholism is stronger than good intentions or genuine desires. I didn't choose this family disease; neither did the alcoholic. The reader suggests trying to behave with compassion for all.
Today's reminder -- My acceptance of this family disease allows me to stop wasting energy fighting a hopeless battle, and to turn instead to sources of genuine help and hope - Al-Anon and my Higher Power.
Today's Quote from So You Love An Alcoholic - "Once you have accepted the idea that alcoholism is a sickness from which compulsive drinkers and those who care about them can find release, you will have no reason to be ashamed of alcoholism - no reason to fear it."
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I had heard about Alcoholism being a 'disease' long before coming to Al-Anon. Hearing and reading this 'fact' was vastly different than accepting it for me. A part of me deep down wanted to believe instead that I could fix, change, cure, influence or direct another to a 'better way of life' as defined by me! Only when I truly admitted I was powerless and my life was unmanageable did I come to accept fully it's a disease which I have no influence over. All that I could change was me.
I came to Al-Anon with an overwhelming anger at my A(s) combined with tons of deep shame. Both are genuine feelings I had, yet my insanity had me placing blame in 'all the wrong places'. As I began work in recovery, my healing also began. The process was slow for me and the many things that triggered me to obsess and react still remained. In working the steps, I found that I had more fear than I ever realized or considered and it was a consistent driver in how I lived, acted and reacted. Only when I fully accepted the disease concept and that no human could fix/cure things, was I able to look objectively at how fear dominated me.
With consistent practice of program tools and suggestions, I have come to put fear where it belongs - one small element of my being. As I keep the focus on me and doing the next right thing, I've also been able to leave the shame I felt for so long in the past, where it belongs. I know now that nobody is ever cured in recovery, we only get a daily reprieve from it based on our spiritual condition.
Happy Friday to one and all. I ended up playing 4 games last night so am tired, sore and moving at a gentle pace today. I am grateful I have an easy day around here and plan to be very gentle with me! Make it a great day!
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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
Thanks IAH for the daily & your service as always! I need to only comment a little on the reading. I feel as some do that alcoholism is not only a disease but an obsession of the mind. It is true that it is no difference between it & cancer as far as compassion. I feel comfortable in saying that I do have symptoms. I just don't drink & have no desire to. I am not an alcoholic, I am a co-dependent that relies on a HP. I have a daily reprieve contingent on my spiritual condition. I may not be an AA member. I just feel that some of the AA sayings can apply to me too.
Have a great Friday & a great weekend. Hoping that the best come to you & the weather co-operates. It is nice here. A little dry but rain can come. It seems even the sun came to visit IAH.
...the barrier in my world was- to most people an alcoholic was on skid row- drinking out of a bottle- without bothering to take the wrapper bag off.
So until the world educates itself into thinking that addiction and alcoholism is an illness very few people are going to accept it- as an illness. Also in the treatment arena- I found that if people went to meetings and stayed sober they would do well in a treatment situation.
My first qualifier is long gone. He got sober the day he died. Today I regard myself as the only qualifier I need. I seem to have let go of the sickness that ravaged its way through my family. More and more I am aware of myself- my movements, my spirit, and the caring contacts I have...
I seem to be able to stay in the present moment- even now!
Letting go was really really hard for me to do... I was locked up between the 'what-ifs' and the 'if-only's'.
What got me there I had to let go of- even if it wasn't my fault, or my doing.
Thanks for the share- and the chance to reflect out loud... ....
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