The Spiritual Malady

The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous says: “But we found that such codes and philosophies did not save us, no matter how much we tried. We could wish to be moral, we could wish to be philosophically comforted, in fact, we could will these things with all our might, but the needed power wasn’t there. Our human resources, as marshaled by the will, were not sufficient; they failed utterly. Lack of power, that was our dilemma. We had to find a power by which we could live, and it had to be a Power greater than ourselves. Obviously. But where and how were we to find this Power?  Well, that’s exactly what this book is about. Its main object is to enable you to find a Power greater than yourself which will solve your problem. That means we have written a book which we believe to be spiritual as well as moral. And it means, of course, that we are going to talk about God. Here difficulty arises with agnostics. Many times we talk to a new man and watch his hope rise as we discuss his alcoholic problems and explain our fellowship. But his face falls when we speak of spiritual matters, especially when we mention God, for we have re–opened a subject which our man thought he had neatly evaded or entirely ignored. We know how he feels. We have shared his honest doubt and prejudice. Some of us have been violently anti–religious. To others, the word “God” brought up a particular idea of Him with which someone had tried to impress upon them during childhood. Perhaps we rejected this particular conception because it seemed inadequate. With that rejection we imagined we had abandoned the God idea entirely. We were bothered with the thought that faith and dependence upon a Power beyond ourselves was somewhat weak, even cowardly.” (Pg. 45-46 from the chapter  “We Agnostics”)

Discover Your Higher Power

Many of us come to find out after receiving help from Above It All Treatment that alcohol is but a symptom of this disease we suffer from. If alcohol was our main problem and it was just a matter of not drinking then most of us would not have to go to a detox, AA, or alcohol drug rehab we would just have to stay away from alcohol, our life would go back to normal, and our problems would go away when the booze were taken out of the equation but For most of us it didn’t work like that. We suffer from a spiritual malady that no matter how much willpower we exert it is not enough to fix our thinking problem. We found that when the drinking stopped our lives were still unmanageable if not more so. It’s not until we do the work to recover from this disease that centers in the mind that we can begin to function normally. It isn’t until we turn our will and life over to a power greater than ourselves that we can begin to live free, and stay sober.

Here at Above It All, we believe in the spiritual awakening that occurs as you go through your recovery. Do not put off your rehab because you do not believe in or are mad at God. Find your own version of faith; in all things including yourself. We believe in the 12 Step process and we believe in you.

Surrender – The First Step to Recovery

“We know that little good can come to any alcoholic who joins A.A. unless he has first accepted his devastating weakness and all its consequences. Until he so humbles himself, his sobriety–if any–will be precarious. Of real happiness he will find none at all. Proved beyond doubt by an immense experience, this is one of the facts of A.A. life. The principle that we shall find no enduring strength until we first admit complete defeat is the main taproot from which our whole Society has sprung and flowered. When first challenged to admit defeat, most of us revolted. We had approached A.A. expecting to be taught self-confidence. Then we had been told that so far as alcohol is concerned, self-confidence was no good whatever; in fact, it was a total liability. Our sponsors declared that we were the victims of a mental obsession so subtly powerful that no amount of human willpower could break it. There was, they said, no such thing as the personal conquest of this compulsion by the unaided will. Relentlessly deepening our dilemma, our sponsors pointed out our increasing sensitivity to alcohol–an allergy, they called it. The tyrant alcohol wielded a double-edged sword over us: first we were smitten by an insane urge that condemned us to go on drinking, and then by an allergy of the body that insured we would ultimately destroy ourselves in the process. Few indeed were those who, so assailed, had ever won through in single-handed combat. It was a statistical fact that alcoholics almost never recovered on their own resources.”

– From the chapter on Step One from The AA Twelve and Twelve

 

As alcoholics trying to get sober the first step whether we plan to go to an alcohol rehab, AA, or other alcohol programs is to admit that we are powerless over alcohol and that our lives had become unmanageable. It isn’t until we admit complete defeat that we can move forward. If we do not surrender to the fact that we are alcoholics many of us will not be willing to go to any lengths to receive help and stay sober. We must realize we suffer from an allergy of the body and a spiritual malady that no amount of will power can fix.

If we are to recover from this seemingly hopeless state of mind and body we must be rid of the things that bind us through doing this work on ourselves.

Above It All Treatment is here to help – Call Now!

 

Alcohol Rehab in California: Help to Break Free from Addiction

Alcoholism can be a difficult form of addiction to spot in someone you care for. Unlike street drugs, it is a legal substance and one that forms part of celebrations with family and friends. It can be very difficult to tell the difference between someone who is simply enjoying him or herself and a person who may have slipped into a dependency on alcohol.

If you are dealing with a person who is an alcoholic, a pattern will develop over time. He or she will find it more difficult to hide his or her dependency on alcohol from family and friends. Other people may become aware of the issue before the alcoholic is willing to admit there is a problem. Some signs that may signal a problem would include:

  • Drinking to excess
  • Persistent use of alcohol even when the person knows that it is causing a problem
  • Neglect of work, social, or family-related activities because of alcohol use
  • Large amounts of time spent on buying, consuming and recovering from alcohol use
  • The person experiences withdrawal symptoms when he or she stops drinking

Effective Treatment for Alcoholism

It can be challenging to convince someone who has developed a dependency on alcohol that he or her she needs treatment, but the first step in getting help is to admit that there is a problem. Addiction is an equal-opportunity disease and it has no respect for age, marital status, religion, race, or any of the other superficial things we use to convince ourselves that certain groups are different from us.

The first step in getting help for alcoholism is to call the alcohol hotline. You’ll be connected to a recovery specialist who can answer your questions about a 28-day treatment program. The first stage of treatment is detoxification, or detox. The client must be freed from the physical effects of alcohol. This stage is supervised by experienced, caring staff.

The next stage of treatment involves tackling the issues that led to the addiction and learning new coping skills for a sober lifestyle. By going to a treatment facility, a client can focus his or her attention on getting well, without the distractions of everyday life or the temptations that may make it easy to slip back into using alcohol as easily. Treatment will include a combination of the following:

  • Process group sessions
  • One-one-one meeting with an alcohol counselor
  • Individual therapy sessions
  • Alcoholics Anonymous meetings
  • Educational group meetings

Get Help for Alcoholism Now

You don’t have to wait one more day to find out about treatment options available for someone you love. Caring, confidential help is available at Above It All Treatment Center right now. All you need to do is pick up the phone and give us a call. Taking that first step is easy, and you’ll be glad you reached out to us.

Staying Sober In Any Situation

“So our rule is not to avoid a place where there is drinking, if we have a legitimate reason for being there. That includes bars, nightclubs, dances, receptions, weddings, even plain ordinary whoopee parties. To a person who has had experience with an alcoholic, this may seem like tempting Providence, but it isn’t.  You will note that we made and important qualification. Therefore, ask yourself on each occasion, “Have I any good social, business, or personal reason for going to this place? Or am I expecting to steal a little vicarious pleasure from the atmosphere of such places?” If you answer these questions satisfactorily, you need have no apprehension. Go or stay away, whichever seems best. But be sure you are on solid spiritual ground before you start and that your motive in going is thoroughly good. Do not think of what you will get out of the occasion. Think of what you can bring to it. But if you are shaky, you had better work with another alcoholic instead!”-from the chapter  “ Working With Others”

– from The Big Book Of Alcoholics Anonymous

Even though we are receiving addiction recovery this does not mean that we avoid living our life and going out into society. In fact it is encouraged that we go out and enjoy ourselves and our lives to the fullest. While it is smart to be cautious about the scenes we are hanging out in like bars, clubs, and parties if we are spiritually fit we can go anywhere and do anything. We got sober in order to be happy and functioning not isolate and be shut off from the world. When we go to detox, AA, or Above It All drug rehab we receive the tools necessary for dealing with different situations, and live life on life’s terms. Through taking our recovery one day and even one situation at a time we can become happy, healthy functioning members of society. If we are diligent about doing the work we will be able to stay sober through anything.

Alcoholics, Addicts, and the Fun of Sobriety!

“We have shown how we got out from under. You say, “Yes, I’m willing. But am I to be consigned to a life where I shall be stupid, boring and glum, like some righteous people I see? I know I must get along without liquor, but how can I? Have you a sufficient substitute? Yes, there is a substitute and it is vastly more than that. It is a fellowship in Alcoholics Anonymous. There you will find release from care, boredom and worry. Your imagination will be fired. Life will mean something at last. The most satisfactory years of your existence lie ahead. Thus we find the fellowship, and so will you.” –pg.152 A Vision for You from The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

After receiving alcohol addiction help most of us are surprised and pleased by the fellowship we find through sobriety, drug addiction detox, AA, and 30 day rehab programs. Many of us feel like we are never going to have as much fun as we have had in the past but the reality of the situation is that not only do we have as much fun but usually even more than before because its minus the unmanageability. We find a new joy and a new freedom. We come to realize that through sobriety anything is possible. As long as we take action, and stay sober we can do anything we want to. We are given the opportunity to create the life of our dreams and pursue different paths, paths that we haven’t until sobriety been able to pursue. Many of us had many dreams that just fell by the wayside because of our alcoholism but now we get to go and live life!

The Simplicity of The 12 Steps

“We represent no particular faith or denomination. We are dealing only with general principles common to most denominations. Outline the program of action, explaining how you made a self-appraisal, how you straightened out your past and why you are now endeavoring to be helpful to him. It is important for him to realize that your attempt to pass this on to him plays a vital part in your recovery. Actually, he may be helping you more than you are helping him. Make it plain he is under no obligation to you, that you hope only that he will try to help other alcoholics when he escapes his own difficulties. Suggest how important it is that he places the welfare of other people ahead of his own.” – pg. 93 Working with Others from the big book of Alcoholics Anonymous

When first receiving alcohol addiction help and reading something like this from the big book may seem somewhat confusing. After a while when it is broken down for us we can actually see how simple this program is. Where it talks about outlining the program of action it is referring to the steps and everything involved in doing the step whether we go to a 30 day rehab program, AA, or an affordable rehab these are all a part of our personal program of action. When it talks about a self- appraisal it is talking about the work we do to identify our side of the street and the work needed to improve on many different things such as character defects, resentments, relationships etc. particularly by doing our inventory. Finally it goes on to talk about sponsorship and how we can’t keep our recovery if we don’t give it away. Many of us are baffled by these things when we are newly sober but over time we will be able to comprehend this way of life and we will become happily and usefully whole.

The Importance of Openness in Sobriety

“If we cannot or would rather not do this, we search our acquaintance for a close-mouthed, understanding friend perhaps our doctor or psychologist will be the person. It may be one of our own family, but we cannot disclose anything to our wives or our parents which will hurt them and make them unhappy. We have no right to save our own skin at another person’s expense. Such parts of our story we tell to someone who will understand, yet be unaffected. The rule is we must hard on ourselves, but always considerate of others. Notwithstanding the great necessity for discussing ourselves with someone, it may be one is so situated that there is no suitable person available. If that is so, this step may be postponed, only, however if we hold ourselves in complete readiness to go through with it at the first opportunity.” – pg. 73-74 Into Action from The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

When we decide we are ready to receive alcohol addiction help and do the work in order to stay sober it is important that we decide to do the work with someone that matches the criteria talked about in this excerpt from the big book. It is important that we feel safe and know that whatever is talked about is discussed in confidence. That way it will be easier for us to proceed with abandoned. Regardless of if we decide to do the work through a 30 day rehab program, AA, drug addiction detox, or through a friend we need to know in matters regarding the steps that our confidence is not going to be betrayed for this could potentially leave a bad taste in our mouth as far as sobriety is concerned and could lead us to drink. When the time is right we will find the right person to take us through the steps, be shown a way to recover, and as a result of the step work have a spiritual experience. If we find the right person it can truly be a beautiful process.

Alcoholism, Addiction, and The Workplace

“A look at the alcoholic in your organization is many times illuminating. Is he not usually brilliant, fast-thinking, imaginative and likable? When sober, does he not work hard and have a knack of getting things done? If he had these qualities and did not drink would he be worth retaining? Should he have the same consideration as other ailing employees? Is he worth salvaging? If your decision is yes, whether the reason be humanitarian or business or both, then the following suggestions may be helpful. Can you discard the feeling that you are dealing only with habit, with stubbornness, or a weak will? If this presents difficulty, rereading chapter two and three, where alcoholic sickness is discussed at length might be worthwhile”. –pg.139-140 To Employers from The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

Most of us prior to receiving alcohol addiction help were outright mental defectives. Most of us could barely hold it together for a job let alone life. While our potential was obvious and probably frustrating to most we were either unable to see it or figure out how to reach that potential. When we got/get sober we are finally able to see the things in ourselves that others were able to see all along. Then when you add a drug addiction detox, AA, or 30 day rehab program to the mix we are given the tools needed to not only function but also be a productive member of society, and a worker among workers. We are restored to sanity and Go on to be some of the best employees a company has ever seen.

Getting Sober and “First Things First”

“Members of a family should watch such matters carefully, for one careless, inconsiderate remark has been known to raise the very devil. We alcoholics are sensitive people. It takes some of us a long time to outgrow that serious handicap. Many alcoholics are enthusiasts. They run to extremes. At the beginning of recovery a man will take, as a rule, one of two directions. He may either plunge into a frantic attempt to get on his feet in business, or he may be so enthralled by his new life that he talks or thinks of little else. In either case certain family problems will arise. With these we have had experience galore. We think it’s dangerous if he rushes headlong into his economic problem.” – pg. 125-126 The Family Afterward from The Big Book Of Alcoholics Anonymous

When we are newly sober and are just receiving alcohol addiction help it is important that we stick to doing the work around our disease. If we do that then everything else will fall into place. It’s a process. First things first…If we find that we need extra help getting sober we may choose to go to a drug addiction detox, AA, or a 30 day rehab program. At this point it is important that we do the work necessary for us to achieve long lasting sobriety. Over time we will be able to see how things are changing in our lives. We won’t need to try and fix everything right away because things have a way of getting better than we could have ever imagined if we just stay sober.

Privacy and Anonymity in Recovery

“We families of alcoholics anonymous keep few skeletons in the closet. Everyone knows about the others’ alcoholic troubles. This is a condition, which, in ordinary life, would produce untold grief; there might be scandalous gossip, laughter at the expense of other people, and a tendency to take advantage of intimate information. Among us, these are rare occurrences. We do talk about each other a great deal, but we almost invariably temper such talk by a spirit of love and tolerance. Another principle we observe carefully is that we do not relate intimate experiences of another person unless we are sure he would approve. We find it better, when possible, to stick to our own stories. A man may criticize to laugh at himself and it will affect others favorably, but criticism and ridicule coming from another often produce the contrary effect”. – Pg125 The Family Afterward from the big book of Alcoholics Anonymous

It is one thing to share our experience, strength, and hope with someone who is looking for alcohol addiction help but it is a totally different story in regards to sharing others experiences. It is neither our right nor our responsibility to do so. If there is something we don’t have experience with and we wish to help someone by sharing someone else’s experience then we need to make it a point to ask that person if it is okay. In Los Angeles rehabs, AA, and other rehab programs in California we are taught to respect people’s privacy and boundaries. Keeping things confidential is of the utmost importance so that everyone can feel safe especially while working the steps. We all have a right to be here and to share our experience with the people we choose to. It is important that we don’t gossip but instead that we are sharing in order to carry the message to the newcomer so that they know that there is an alternative to living the way they are living.