When I was in the abusing stage of my alcoholism, I was fearful, confused and always looking for the easier, softer way, as it says in How it Works in Chapter 5 of the Big Book. If only I could drink like others and still enjoy my life instead of fearing what was coming next. The lying, stealing, cheating, unloving life of active alcoholism had me physically, mentally, morally, and spiritually bankrupt and I was truly looking for the easier, softer way. There had to be one and I just wasn’t getting it yet. Maybe drinking only on special occasions. Maybe drinking only when sad to drown the sorrows. Maybe drinking only when glad to celebrate. Maybe eating mashed potatoes before drinking to absorb the alcohol. Maybe eating butter before drinking to allow the innards to be lubricated so that the alcohol would not be absorbed.
My greatest quest was finding an easier, softer way to drink and still be normal. Things just jumped on the roller coaster that was steeply declined and running downhill getting worse by the day, It wasn’t until I was introduced to and started truly working the 12 Steps of AA to the best of my ability that I truly discovered an easier, softer way. This easier, softer way is just working the simple program for complicated folks that is the AA Program.
I am addicted to everything and this does not exclude serenity. I get some and want more and the only way that I have found to be truly Happy, Joyous, and Free is to work my program each and every day with no vacations from it. This has kept me experiencing Serenity in greater measures than I ever thought possible. If it works for me then it can work for you, too, if you want it strong enough. I was a very large, very angry, very violent, well armed man and now am totally enjoying living in the love that continues coming to me from you and folks just like us.
Are you truly done drinking and/or drugging? Then you have a chance. If you are not done or not sure if you are done, then I don’t see how you can ever feel this way. To get it you must want it more than the misery that alcoholism and/or addiction brings. The only question, then, is are you really done? If so, COD, ‘Come on down!’ Join with us and we will love you until you can love yourself.