“We alcoholics are sensitive people. 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….since the home has suffered more than anything else, it is well that a man exert himself there. He is not likely to get far in any direction if he fails to show unselfishness and love under his own roof. We know there are difficult wives and families, but the man who is getting over alcoholism must remember he did much to make them so.” – Pg.125-127 in The Family Afterward from the big book of Alcoholics Anonymous
When we first receive alcohol addiction help and get sober we are usually so filled with relief and joy. Many of us are on what is referred to as a “pink cloud”. This is where everything just seems so great and amazing. It’s as if we had been dead inside for so long and were just reborn. Often times when we are in this state many of us want to experience everything, just enjoy it, and have fun which is okay as long as we are doing the work as well as repairing our relationships with others especially family. When the big book talks about how our home has suffered more than anything else it is referring to the damage we caused in our families lives .For most of us our loved ones were the ones that were there and witnessed us at our worst. While it may take a while the chances of familial reparation is high and likely for most of us. It is one of the gifts of sobriety .perhaps not at first but in time they will be able to see the dedication to sobriety and will most likely be thrilled, and supportive. With that being said If we fail to mend our relationship with them and put time and effort into those relationships they will most likely continue to be resentful since not only were they losing their loved ones to this disease but they will probably go on to feel like they also lost them to recovery as well.Therefore its imperative that we do what we need to do to get sober, Go to a drug addiction detox, AA, or 30 day rehab program, and then do the best we can to be a better daughter,son,mother,father,and sibling .We owe it to them and to ourselves.