As an alcoholic, I know that every day is a new opportunity for me to stay sober. That’s why, each morning, I like to read Daily Reflections to start my day off on the right foot.
Today, January 5th, I was inspired by this passage: “We cannot be cured of alcoholism, but we can choose to live in recovery.”
Today is a new day and I am choosing to live in recovery. Every breath is a fresh start and I am determined to stay sober today.
He cannot picture life without alcohol. Some day he will be unable to imagine life either with alcohol or without it. Then he will know loneliness such as few do. He will be at the jumping-off place. He will wish for the end.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 152
“Only a recovering alcoholic can understand the meaning of this statement.” The double standard that held me captive as an active drinker also filled my being with terror and confusion.
“If I don’t get one more bottle, then death will come knocking at my door,” competed with another voice in which he wondered if drinking alcohol necessarily leads to self-destruction?
Both compulsive thoughts pushed him ever closer towards his own destruction – but only after taking time for reflection could he make up his mind about where exactly on earth’s bottom line these would lead him: into total acceptance without reservation or doubt whatsoever; so necessary was such an action once you’ve reached rock bottom because it allowed complete freedom from addiction…
The bottom line is that the double standard of an active alcoholic created a total acceptance and one which was absolutely essential for my recovery.
As I shared, if you can see how this statement applies to your own life as well as mine, perhaps it will help you come to terms with your addiction or alcoholism so that you too may enjoy the freedom from its clutches.
If not, we are here to help at any time!
