The Alcoholic Addict and Our Initial Desperation

“If you have decided you want what we have and are willing to go to any length to get it – then you are ready to take certain steps.” – The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 58

When we are in a state of pure, unadulterated desperation, we easily agree to the idea of being “willing to go to any length”.  We are desperate in such a wholly and complete way that we may be inclined to think our dedication will last without fail.  If we can hold onto this sense of desperation, then, more than likely, we will, in fact, do whatever we have to do in order to get sober.

As we begin to rebuild our lives, we may, in fact, lose a sense of the driving pain that initially propelled us forward in our pursuit of relief.  The Recovery that we’ve been shown is legitimately possible by others has been constructed upon a very concrete foundation of misery.  When we are new, that agonizing despair is so close to and riding on the nerves of the very surface of our soul, it easy to access and overwhelming to feel.  All of this lends itself to being willing to do anything to return to a state of sanity.

What happens when our lives kick back in and begin to expand with newly-discovered opportunities?  Perhaps we go back to work, reacquire items we had lost, begin authentic friendships which differ from the lower companions and fair-weather company we may have kept.  What happens to that sense of desperation?  We may lose our grip on those feelings which firmly tethered us to our start in a Program and as we become more involved in life, we may become less and less overtly desperate.

This potentially eventual side-winding can be thwarted by working with newcomers and in seeing their fight to find a way to stay alive; we can be reinvigorated with the spirit of our desperation.  This gives us the resolve to continue living in Recovery as opposed to slowly sliding away, which becomes a slippery slope no true alcoholic and/or addict can afford.

Alcohol Drug Rehab Twelve Step Lingo

Drug addiction detox often includes Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. The Twelve Steps make up the foundation of Alcoholics Anonymous, which was founded in 1935 and now has over 2 million members. Utilizing the twelve steps of spiritual and character development  helps people in recovery stay sober. (Narcotics Anonymous groups also use these same twelve steps.) Aside from the Twelve Steps themselves, many AA and NA meetings might also make use of some or all  of the following terms or phrases listed below:

Birthday

When someone involved in AA says, “Today is my birthday,” they are referring to the anniversary of the day they became sober. At California rehab centers, this date is also called an “anniversary.”

Old-Timer

It’s length of sobriety time, not age that people are referring to when they call someone an “old-timer.” In some drug addiction rehab treatment groups, one qualifies as an old-timer 10 years; in others many more. Young people can be old-timers, and elderly people can be newcomers.

Time

At Los Angeles treatment centers, when someone talks about  their “time,” they’re not referring to time spent in rehab or jail, but are referring to the length of time they have been continuously sober.

Out

When a member of  AA says they “went out,” they’re talking about having a relapse into drinking or drug use after time spent sober. If you know someone who’s gone out, and is looking for help, contact us for drug rehab in California.

Think (Think, Think)

A common AA slogan, “Think, think think” is a reminder to take a pause before making a rash move such as using drugs or drinking.

Drug of Choice

“Drug of choice” is the primary way addicts chose to get high.

Last Drunk

This phrase refers to an alcoholic’s final binge, and most likely the one that caused them to hit rock bottom and seek drug addiction rehab treatment either in a rehab center or through attending 12 Step meetings.

Acceptance

In the 12 Step program, acceptance is realizing that alcoholism or addiction is a disease and a permanent part of one’s life. Finding an affordable drug treatment center is a way to accept the truth of an inability to stop drinking or using drugs without help.