Alcoholics Anonymous - They're the God people, right? 

Well, not exactly. First, let me begin this post with a disclaimer. In the words of the AA preamble:

"Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization, or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety."

Yes, I am a member of AA, but as you can see, the organization is not affiliated with anything, including this blog. My views and experiences are my own. Anonymity is also an essential part of AA, and I will touch on this later. But for now, trust me, it is important.

It is true that AA has its roots in Christianity in 1930s America, but religion has nothing to do with its recovery program. While its literature written in the 1930s still refers to God, there are eight crucial words that follow - "or a higher power as I understand it." Therefore, spirituality is an important concept in recovery, but religion is never mentioned, ever.

In AA, a higher power or spirituality can be anything outside of oneself. I have many atheist friends in AA who have achieved long-term sobriety. They may view their family, science, or anything other than alcohol as their higher power.

In my experience, AA is not about religion, so don't let that put you off. AA is a group of people who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other, all with the common goal of staying sober and helping others achieve sobriety. It is a program that is open to anyone, regardless of their religious beliefs or lack thereof.

Where to Start?

Where to start? That's a good question, but perhaps an even better one is when to start. Regardless, we'll delve into that later. 

The question that plagued me at the beginning of my recovery was a simple one - am I an alcoholic? In my experience, most alcoholics refuse to acknowledge that they have a problem. There's a well-known saying that perfectly sums it up: alcoholism is the only disease that will try to convince you that you don't have it. 

Fortunately, there's a straightforward test to determine whether you have a problem or not. It involves answering the following questions:

Question	Yes	No
Do you lose time from work due to drinking?	Yes	No
Is drinking making your home life unhappy?	Yes	No
Do you drink because you are shy with other people?	Yes	No
Is drinking affecting your reputation?	Yes	No
Have you ever felt remorse after drinking?	Yes	No
Have you got into financial difficulties as a result of drinking?	Yes	No
Do you turn to lower companions and an inferior environment when drinking?	Yes	No
Does your drinking make you careless of your family's welfare?	Yes	No
Has your ambition decreased since drinking?	Yes	No
Do you crave a drink at a definite time daily?	Yes	No
Do you want a drink the next morning?	Yes	No
Does drinking cause you to have difficulty sleeping?	Yes	No
Has your efficiency decreased since drinking?	Yes	No
Is drinking jeopardizing your job or business?	Yes	No
Do you drink to escape from worries or trouble?	Yes	No
Do you drink alone?	Yes	No
Have you ever had a complete loss of memory as a result of drinking?	Yes	No
Has your physician ever treated you for drinking?	Yes	No
Do you drink to build up your self-confidence?	Yes	No
Have you ever been to a hospital or institution on account of drinking?	Yes	No

I scored 17. How did you do? 

If you answered "Yes" to three or more questions, chances are you probably have a problem with alcohol. So, what's the next step? Well, the obvious answer is to seek help, but here we encounter the first issue with alcoholics - they don't believe they have a problem and therefore don't want help. In fact, the mere thought of getting help repulsed me, because it would mean that I would have to stop drinking! 

At that time, I believed that I didn't need to stop drinking and that I loved it too much. If I had a broken leg, I wouldn't hesitate to seek help. However, I refused to acknowledge that I had a serious illness that would eventually lead to death. It took a great deal of pain and trauma inflicted upon me, my family, and my friends before I was even willing to consider seeking help. 

Luckily for me, that moment did come, and I went to Alcoholics Anonymous, and my life changed forever. Many people refer to this moment in their recovery as their "low point" or "jumping off place."

 What is Alcoholism?

Alcoholism is a chronic and progressive disease that affects millions of people around the world. It is a form of addiction that is characterized by compulsive and uncontrollable drinking, despite the negative consequences it may have on a person's health, relationships, and overall well-being.

Alcoholism is a complex and multifaceted condition, with both genetic and environmental factors contributing to its development. Some people may be more vulnerable to developing alcoholism due to genetic factors or a family history of the disease, while others may develop alcoholism as a way of coping with stress, anxiety, or trauma.

Alcoholism is often associated with physical and psychological dependence on alcohol, which can cause a range of negative physical and mental health effects. Chronic and excessive alcohol consumption can damage the liver, heart, and other vital organs, and can increase the risk of developing a range of health conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

In addition to its physical health effects, alcoholism can also have a profound impact on a person's mental and emotional well-being. It can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions, and can contribute to relationship problems, financial difficulties, and a range of other negative consequences.

Treatment for alcoholism typically involves a combination of medical, psychological, and social interventions. It may involve detoxification and withdrawal management, therapy and counselling, support group meetings, and other forms of behavioural and cognitive interventions. The goal of treatment is to help individuals achieve and maintain sobriety, and to address the underlying issues that may have contributed to their alcoholism.

If you or someone you know is struggling with alcoholism, it is important to seek professional help and support. With the right treatment and support, it is possible to overcome alcoholism and to achieve a healthy and fulfilling life in sobriety.

 

An introduction.

Hello, my name is Gareth and I am an alcoholic. It’s great to meet you!

I have decided to start my own blog to chronicle my journey through alcoholism. I now understand that alcoholism is a disease and, as of the time of writing, there is no known cure. However, there is treatment and therefore there is hope.

My drinking career spanned 25 years, starting at 15 and finishing at 40 years old. I have been in recovery, again at the time of writing, for 3.5 years. As there is no “cure” for alcoholism, I will have to keep up my treatment for the rest of my life. This is no great chore, as the life I have now is incredible compared to my life before sobriety!

I’m not really sure how this blog will turn out. I have a (very) rough idea in my head at the moment, but I’m sure this will evolve as time passes.

I intend to do different posts for all the ideas, experiences and stories I have come across over the years. I will try to be brief and not waffle too much, but I can’t promise anything!

Love and Peace, G.