How It Works

Here is the starting point. Go to meetings, get a Sponsor and work the program.... God will take care of everything else.

How It Works

from the Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves. There are such unfortunates. They are not at fault; they seem to have been born that way. They are naturally incapable of grasping and developing a manner of living which demands rigorous honesty. Their chances are less than average.

There are those, too, who suffer from grave emotional and mental disorders, but many of them do recover if they have the capacity to be honest.

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. - The Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women
who share their experience, strength and hope
with each other that they may solve their common problem
and help others to recover from alcoholism.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.
There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting
through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect,
denomination, politics, organization or institution;
does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes.

Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

The 12 Steps Of AA

The 12 Traditions Of AA

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The top 10 addiction myths

Click here to read them

Alanon is for the family of Alcoholics

Click the above symbol to go to Alanon

"While the alcoholic lies passed out, anesthetized, the family goes through the years of his drinking -- stark, raving sober. Their world is like no sane family's world. They believe lies, expect miracles, have him locked up, bail him out, wish he were dead, and pray that he gets home safely". From the book Getting Them Sober.

Does the bible correspond to the 12 steps?

What do you think?

Feeling the heat of the fire? Malachi 3:13 says:

"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver".

Here is an excellent article. Click here to read
"Alcoholics and Addicts – Helping Them the Old School Way" by Dick B.

The Promises

If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be
amazed before we are half way through. We are going to know a new
freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to
shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will
know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will
see how our experience can benefit others.

That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose
interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will
slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of
people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know
how to handle situations which used to baffle us.

We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do
for ourselves.

Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled
among us -- sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always
materialize if we work for them.

Alcoholics Anonymous, pp. 83-84,© Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Click Here to read more promises found throughout the Big Book

Recovery Humor

Remember this hottie from the bar?

"We are not reformed drunks–but informed alcoholics"

The AA paradoxes:

---from weakness(adversity) comes strength
---we forgive to be forgiven
---we give it away to keep it
---we suffer to get well
---we surrender to win
---we die to live
---from darkness comes light
---from dependence we found independence

"Recovery is an inside job"

Acronyms Used in AA

AA = Absolute Abstinence
AA = Adventurers Anonymous
AA = Altered Attitudes
AA = Altruistic action

Click Here to read more acronyms

Cunning alcoholism one step ahead

By Richard Atwater LPC

Published in the Northwest Herald Sunday, February 22, 2009.

Alcoholism is a thinking disease.

It sneaks up and gets you where you’re weakest. It waits. It does push-ups while you’re sleeping. It’s smarter than you. Identifying alco-thought is like trying to put your finger on mercury.

I was talking to a gentleman recently who has had repeated problems with his drinking.

He was on his way to the grocery store after about a month of non-drinking when he decided to swing by his favorite gas station (where incidentally they sold liquor) to fill up. “I need to fill the tank,” he thought. read more

Inspirational Video

Don't quit before the miracle happens... keep coming back... just don't quit.

Life Lesson: Never quit. You are probably closer than you think.

Step 4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

Some Favorite 12 Step Slogans

"Live and Let Live"

"Easy Does It"

"Progress Not Perfection"

"One Day At A Time"

"Keep Coming Back"

"First Things First"

What is reality to the alcoholic/addict?

As alcoholics and/or addicts we often do not see reality the way it really is. Everybody is not after you (well in your case, they are), you can not drive drunk better than when you are sober (remember, the authorities have this well documented) and the 2 tubes above are crooked. As an example how things sometimes are not how they are perceived the tubes above are straight as an arrow and totally parallel with each other. Due to the lines in the background (your brain) the tubes appear leaning and crooked (your perception) when they are truly straight and parallel (reality). Similarly, you may tell yourself you don't need help, or that treatment centers don't work for you, but there are thousands of success stories from all types of alcoholics with all types of centers, from larger ones like Narconon, to small and simple detox centers.

Same thing with the picture below. The snakes are straight also and equally spaced apart. Ok, I'm just messin' with you this time but are the snakes moving or is it just me?

The Power In Prayer

By Soberado

www.cleanandsobernotdead.com

Prayer is not performed solely by clergy or just for the religiously pious. Prayer is for everyone… this includes you, the addict. Prayer is a powerful tool used in recovery to overcome and deal with addictions. It is a proven tool used successfully in recovery by the millions who are not using today. This powerful tool of prayer and making contact with our Higher Power is available to us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in our daily journey to overcome the struggle, isolation and daily fights of addiction. As we seek God to help us, he opens doors and gives us the power we lacked before in tackling our addiction. With his help you will be able to find a new way of life… clean and sober.

Praying does not come easily for some addicts. Some have never prayed before and/or have misconceptions about praying. Prayer is simply communicating with God—humbly listening and talking to him either silently or out loud. One can pray from the heart spontaneously using your own words or reciting a prayer from a book. One can kneel at their bedside or pray to God while in the shower. You can pray with your eyes open or closed or however else you feel comfortable. The important part is reaching out for his guidance and help in your life. Through prayer we can get the comfort, guidance and understanding we seek to overcome our addiction.

It is all up to you on how to make contact with your higher power. God is able to understand and reach down and touch your life in a million ways. Sometimes his touch goes unnoticed, sometimes they are subtle. Sometimes God touches us in major ways such as Bill W’s spiritual awakening as recounted in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. Addicts have been alone in their head for a long time usually knowing the normal person would never understand what you are feeling or going through. Through daily contact with your Higher Power you never have to be alone again. God is with you every step of the way.

To pray to God you simply have to start talking. If you are not used to prayer, it will seem a little odd at first. You might even feel this is a worthless exercise for blind sheep actingy foolishly . We just ask that you work past those feelings until you experience the real power of prayer. Once you connect with this power and make contact with God through prayer you lean and trust him to guide you through all situations.

Feeling all alone is a common symptom we share as addicts. Feeling nobody cares or understands us just contributes to the isolation and misery we trudge through daily. This can be overcome through prayer if we harness the power behind it. That power is God and he is ALWAYS with us. He welcomes us anytime to talk to him. No appointment is necessary and no subject is off limits.

When you feel you're at your ropes end try saying a praying. All it takes is an effort on your part to make a conscious contact with your Higher Power. He will do the rest.

Pictures of Bathrooms

Your not suppose to forget your last drunk... well for me that is to remember the last bathroom. Here are some I don't regret not getting up close and personal with.

Click here to see

Cool recovery art by Parker L. Check out his blog here

This site is not affiliated with Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.(AAWS). AAWS has neither reviewed nor endorsed the contents of this site. If you wish to visit the official AAWS Web page, please click on the Blue Big Book (Alcoholics Anonymous) These pages are not endorsed nor approved by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. They are solely provided by LDP as part of his 12 Step work in reaching out to the alcoholic who still suffers. Some of the items on these pages were originally published by A.A. World Services, but do not assume that this implies continued approval by the General Service Conference for their use in these pages. Alcoholics Anonymous, A.A., and The Big Book are registered trademarks of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. The Grapevine and AA Grapevine are registered trademarks of The AA Grapevine, Inc.