“Our stories disclose in a general way what we used to be like, what happened, and what we are like now. 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. At some of these we balked. We thought we could find an easier softer way but we could not. With all the earnestness at our command we beg of you to be fearless and thorough from the very start. Some of us have tried to hold onto our old ideas and the result was nil until we let go absolutely. Remember we deal with alcohol- cunning, baffling and powerful! Without help it is too much for us. But there is one who has all power that one is god. May you find him now! Half measures availed us nothing. We stood at the turning point. We asked his protection and care with complete abandon.” – pg. 58-59 How It Works from the big book of Alcoholics Anonymous
Providing alcohol addiction help is a huge part of the recovery process. When we share on a group level or one on one it is important to talk about what happened, what it was like, and what it’s like now so that others can relate and see that it is possible for them to stay sober as well. This excerpt from how it works explains in a nutshell exactly what we go through when we first get sober. We all look for an easier way or a way out, we see that it doesn’t work, and we either surrender or start drinking again. Whether we are in a drug addiction detox, AA, or a 30 day rehab program it is important that we turn our will and our lives over to the care of someone/something else. We need to fully surrender in order to gain the willingness needed to live this new way of life we have found in sobriety. It is through this process of surrender that we are able to be free from our addiction and are able to pass on experience, strength and hope to the newcomer.