Questions and Answers (Part II)

The next question I asked myself was "What is the purpose of my life with this disease?"

Questions and Answers

Sobriety, for me, is a gift from God. I have asked myself and my higher power the questions and want to share where I am in my journey concerning each of these.

First, "Why am I an alcoholic?" When I asked this question of another alcoholic, he answered, "So you can reach out to another sick and suffering alcoholic." I know that is part of my 12-step program, to reach out to others who can be helped by my sharing my experience, strength, and hope regarding my disease. When I asked my sponsor, she said, "Why not?" That answer stopped me in my tracks. What did she mean, "why not?" After I thought about the response, I had to agree with her. Why not? I could have been born with diabetes, or be suffering from heart disease, or dealing with any other disease know to the medical community. But the disease I have to deal with, learn about, and learn to control on a daily basis, is alcoholism. Why me? Why not?

The next question I ask myself is "What is the purpose of my life with this disease?"

and then... "What am I supposed to do with this knowledge and information?"

I continue to review my life and ask my higher power to reveal the answers to these questions, so I can share my experience, strength, and hope with others. 

Struggling and Finding Help

"If you are struggling with something, you must make the decision to do what you don't want to do at the time. No matter what you are going through, you have to ask for help. The telephone seems to weigh 500 pounds, but you have to lift it to get the help you need."

In my home group, we begin every meeting with the serenity prayer, "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." I have to remember this prayer and say it over and over again when I am struggling with life. It is important for me to realize that there are some things over which I have no control.

I know God, my higher power, has complete control. In Alcoholics Anonymous, there are others who can provide me with their experience, strength, and hope, but I have to let someone know that I am actually struggling, so I can get the help I need with the everyday problems of life. 

I thank my higher power, that I have a sponsor who wants me to call her. I am also thankful that there are many other sober women in my life who have provided me with their phone numbers. I am the one who must ask for help though. Asking for help and lifting that 500 pound phone, even when I don't want to do it, is the only way I will maintain my sobriety. 

Alcoholism is a Fatal Disease

"Alcoholism is a progressive, chronic, and fatal disease. I have a daily reprieve, if I do not drink. However, the further away I am from my last drink, the closer I am to my next one."

My recovery today comes from the knowledge and understanding that this thing called alcoholism is a fatal disease. I must, on a daily basis, maintain my spiritual fitness so that I can remain sober, just for today.

Just as a diabetic may need to take insulin daily, I must also take my daily medicine to prevent succumbing to the disease of alcoholism. My daily medicine includes attending at least one Alcoholics Anonymous meeting each day. I must remain in contact with other alcoholics, who are willing to share their own experience, strength, and hope with the same situations that I am struggling. I must contact my sponsor daily and pray and meditate. My higher power helps me maintain my sobriety, but only if I ask for help to maintain it. It takes action, on my part, to stay sober.

I am grateful that my higher power led me to the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous and the fellowship of other recovering alcoholics. Alcoholics Anonymous has been my lifeline and it can be yours also!

The Journey of Sobriety

The life of sobriety is wrapped up in the statement below... as an alcoholic I can not hold a resentment and remain sober! As a recovering alcoholic I am enjoying my life! I am having fun and living now, instead of being a slave to the bottle. If I immediately apologize to those I have offended, I live a freer life. Finally, to let go of what I can not change, and to hand it over to my higher power, allows me to enjoy my journey of sobriety!

One Day at a Time

The "Entire" Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen -- Reinhold Neibuhr

The Effects of Consuming Alcohol

I am working with a therapist who is licensed in alcohol and substance abuse. Part of my assignment last week was to find out the physical effects of consuming alcohol. I am providing that list here for anyone who suffers from, or knows someone who suffers from, alcoholism. 

Alcohol:

1.  is a depressant
2.  causes dizziness
3.  lowers inhibitions
4.  impairs judgment
5.  causes individuals to engage in inappropriate behavior
6.  is a nervous system depressant
7.  affects vision
8.  affects hearing
9.  affects the ability to sort through emotions
10. can cause an increase in sociability
11. can cause an increase in aggression
12. causes nausea
13. causes vomiting
14. causes insomnia
15. causes bad breath
16. causes headaches
17. causes thirst
18. causes fatigue
19. causes anxiety
20. causes hallucinations
21. causes nervous tremors
22. causes liver damage
23. causes cirrhosis
24. causes vitamin deficiencies
25. causes brain damage
26. causes stomach disease
27. causes impotence
28. causes breast, mouth, and esophageal cancers
29. can cause fetal alcohol syndrome, if consumed by pregnant mothers
30. causes heart damage
31. causes high blood pressure
32. leads to obesity
 AND
33. can cause strokes

1.