Recovery Reflections: August 30, 2017
Hello everyone! My name is Bianka, and I would like to give you another warm welcome to Detox to Rehab’s Recovery Reflections. Please join us and listen to the experience, strength and hope shared by Brandon, Madison, Patrick and Joey.
We will pre-record readings from the book Daily Reflections. We express how this reading has helped our recovery or how it has impacted us. We thank you and hope we can inspire your recovery journey!
Alcoholics Anonymous
August 30, 2017: The Only Requirement
“At one time. . . every A.A. group had many membership rules. Everybody was scared witless that something or somebody would capsize the boat. . . The total list was a mile long. If all those rules had been in effect everywhere, nobody could have possibly joined A.A. at all. . .”
Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 139-40
I’m grateful that the Third Tradition only requires of me a desire to stop drinking. I had been breaking promises for years. In the Fellowship I didn’t have to make promises, I didn’t have to concentrate. It only required my attending one meeting, in a foggy condition, to know I was home. I didn’t have to pledge undying love. Here, strangers hugged me. “It gets better,” they said, and “One day at a time, you can do it.” They were no longer strangers, but caring friends. I ask God to help me to reach out to people desiring sobriety, and to, please, keep me grateful!
We Found Recovery
“I’m so grateful the only requirement (for Alcoholics Anonymous) is the desire to stop drinking,” Brandon said.
When I went to my first meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous, I did not know what to expect. I remembered what I saw growing up by going to meetings with my dad and from what I saw in the movies, but I didn’t realize it could truly help me. I thought I was going to have to sign my life away at first, because it seemed like some sort of cult, but in all honesty, I came to the realization that it is the exact opposite.
Alcoholics Anonymous was created to honestly and whole heartedly help people who are struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. There are no pledges to sign or dues to pay; all you need to become a member is the desire to stop drinking and using drugs.
When I first came around the rooms, I wanted to stop drinking and using drugs, but I wasn’t willing to put in the work to change. I didn’t believe I had any shortcomings or issues I needed to deal with to become a better person who doesn’t need Heroin in their life.
That said, I didn’t find recovery when I first got into the rooms; it took me a few relapses to understand the program. When I was finally willing to do what was suggested, I found recovery and it is the reason why I am alive today.
“I came into Alcoholics Anonymous and knew I was home,” Madison said.
Although I didn’t find the recovery I was looking for in that first meeting, by attending that meeting, I learned that there was a safe place for me to come back to when I was ready and willing to live without the use of drugs and alcohol in my life.
I learned a lot in that first meeting too. I learned that Alcoholics Anonymous was a pretty simple program if you are willing to do it. I also started to remember the things I learned in AA while I was using which made using drugs less fun. I say that because after that first meeting, I knew there was a way out and I couldn’t pity myself anymore when I was miserable in active addiction.
The Promises of Recovery
“The program ended up making promises to me,” Patrick said.
I became so miserable, that I made the decision to change my life and do what the 12-step program suggested me to do. When I started doing the work, I learned a new freedom and happiness that the program promises. My life did and is still getting better as the days go by. I am finally okay with the person I am and love who I am becoming. I am not embarrassed by my actions and am confident that if I keep doing the work AA suggests, my life will blossom into something I couldn’t imagine.
“It’s all about helping others,” Joey said.
Since the promises of AA has come true in my life, I can help others with my experience and watch their life get better as the days go by too. I am so grateful there were people who found this program before me and have carried the message for all these years, because it is them that gave me the chance to recover and help others recover too.
Recovery is the best thing that has happened to me- it has given me a life. If you or a loved one are suffering with drug and alcohol addiction and want to live a different life too, reach out and give us a call. We are happy to help in any way we can possibly can. You are not alone. Our number is: (866) 578-7471
