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.
My AH has started treatment, and I just keep thinking how nice it would be to fast forward to the end of the program. However some wonderful people have reminded me that we hope for a long, slow recovery. He is really "working" his program, but I am sooooo afraid to be hopeful.
This time it took crashing a work truck, he was bailed out by co-worker, so no police. But wrecked the truck and work knows now. I am so happy he didn't hurt himself or anyone, just a truck. But I keep asking, was it enough? I really do hope so. It was enough for him to get into a daily off-site treatment program. The hard part is I keep getting the talk from family..."he's got the gene." Now let me explain, his uncle was an alcoholic and died recently from it. I feel like when they say this, it is like a death sentence. I am so afraid. He is a great man and father when sober. I have said I would stand by him as long as he is getting help...daily. He found a daily "work-flex" AA type program. God, I pray that this is what he needs. I put him in your hands, please get him the help that will bring him closer to you and healthy.
I have started Al-anon, which I am greatful for. I just need to get back to a meeting soon.
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When I don't know what I want, I mirror what others want.
The prayer should (really) be that you get into recovery and stay with it. You may come to realize that you need help as much as he does and that you have alot to save. - Alcoholism is a compulsion of the mind and an alergy of the body. It can never be cured only arrested by total abstinence. If an alcoholic were to gain sobriety for any period of time and then resume drinking it would be like no period of sobriety ever existed and often it would be worse. The alcoholic affects everyone they come in contact with family, friends and associates. They have but three choices; sobriety, insanity or death. Alcoholism is a fatal disease.
We are as affected as the alcoholic and maybe worse as we do not have the anesthesia of alcohol to block out reality, thus we go thru the insanity wide awake. We get as crazy as the alcoholic or worse and have much the same three choices; serenity, insanity or death. We also affect everyone we come in contact with.
That was somewhat the definition of the disease of alcoholism as we use to read before each meetings when I first arrive here. I found it to be true in every sense of the word even after going to college to make sure Al-Anon was giving me the straight scoop on it. Yeah I can be skeptical to the max!!.
When you get to the meetings get phone numbers from other members especially the old timers. Use the phone numbers in between meetings and when ever the need arises. This program will save your life. It did mine.
Now I just need to do one day at a time and one task at a time. Today I will focus on priorities... me first. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming....
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When I don't know what I want, I mirror what others want.
I think I would agree with Jerry. It took a whole lot to get me to al anon. The A had about detroyed himself and everything around him before I'd say there was something up with me. I have to make al anon my primary program. For me it has to be all about me and me alone.
