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Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Al-Anon Family Group -> Al-Anon Family Group -> Recommendation for understanding the alcoholic.
Post Info TOPIC: Recommendation for understanding the alcoholic.
maresie


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Recommendation for understanding the alcoholic.
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There is a very good memoir out at the moment called "Lit" by Mary Karr.  Mary describes her alcoholism, relapses and eventual sobriety insightfully and this was a revelation to me.  I know while I drank socially I never depended on alcohol the way an alcoholic did.  I also know that I made bad decisions when I was drinking but I could always put the drink down.  The ex A could not.  As her sponsor says in "lit" at some point the alcohol stops working and at the same time they can't live without it.

After reading this I feel much less resentful of my younger sister who is an alcoholic there is no more judgment there for me.  I don't want the chaos she has in my life but I no longer see it as a "choice" she makes.    I saw the disease in full relief in Mary Karr's prose and really now cherish the idea of how hard sobriety is for an alcoholic now.    I have to say I never saw the big deal in sobreity birthdays before now I do in full relief.  I don't believe I ever really saw how critical it is for an alcoholic to be around other alcoholics who can call them on all their stuff and know what to suggest, when, how and where.  My suggestions to the ex A fell on deaf ears precisely because I was (a) not an alcoholic and (b) he could still "olay" me so successfully why give it up!  I could never have won no matter what!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is confused and bewildered by the alcoholic's behavior in and out of sobriety.

Maresie.

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maresie
Jerry F


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What a good experience to share Maresie especially here.   I appreciate it and
may very well go get the book.   The info is true and insightful.   ((((hugs)))) smile

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Mandy123


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Thanks for the suggestion Maresie, I will be looking into that book soon.

Yours in recovery,
Mandy

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"We are not punished for our unforgiveness, we are punished by it" Jim Stovall

God is seldom early, but he is never late.
Rocky38


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Thanks Maresie, will definitely read it. Thanks for the recommendation.

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Gailey


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Thanks, maresie. I just ordered it today.

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Gail
mc3


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Thank You i'll find this book.  I was struck by the title. I have  asked my A so many times why do you drink, you don't have any reason to be falling down drunk, your life is better than it's ever been.  He said "Sometimes I just feel like getting Lit! Keep in mind that "sometimes" isn't just sometimes. Ya know?

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Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Al-Anon Family Group -> Al-Anon Family Group -> Recommendation for understanding the alcoholic.