Any friends of Bill W?

Texas Star said:
Okay, who is Bill W.? Is this some sort of AA organization? :confused:

I read books by an author who I know has had some alcohol problems in her family, and (I suspect) in her own life. She has a character who attends AA meetings, and tells a little about that. Not much.

Thank God I never had any such issue, nor does anyone I know now. Used to have a coworker who was an alcoholic. Kept saying that he got better every day, but he didn't. His family shunned him and he was eventually fired. Very sad.

My heart goes out to anyone who has that addiction. I gather that it's an actual chemical dependency, not just a moral lapse, in many cases.
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Yes, it is the man and another who started the concept of AA. If you have film rentals like NetFlix rent the movie I mention above with James Gardner and James Woods, it is an excellent movie not a form of therapy , just how the whole thing started.

Of course there are many books out there also. Many other 12 step programs have spun of from the original AA. We should have one for Guns!:D
 
Texas Star said:
But what's that bit above about getting just a half cup of coffee at meetings? Why not full cups?
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Diamonback68 nailed it.
Some of the newbies have a bad case of the shakes. If you give 'em a full cup, they'll slop it all over themselves and wind up with a half cup anyway.
 
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Beemerphile, Your BD caught my eye and then I noticed that you were a Georgian. I was at the Marriot and needed a meeting. I took a taxi and was stunned by the tab. Thankfully, a guy gave me a ride back to the hotel or this hick would have had to find an all nighter
 
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Boys,

I am proud to be a part of our little bunch. Maybe we should lobby for a sticky? Kinda like the SWCA lounge. I often said "I wouldn't be a member of any group that would lower their standards to have me"
(Actually Groucho Marx said that). Only we know what its like to "have served." Good thread and thanks to all involved.
 
Biginge said:
Boys,

I am proud to be a part of our little bunch. Maybe we should lobby for a sticky? Kinda like the SWCA lounge. I often said "I wouldn't be a member of any group that would lower their standards to have me"
(Actually Groucho Marx said that). Only we know what its like to "have served." Good thread and thanks to all involved.
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It is nice to be among such great company.
This thread makes me that much more prouderer to be a part of this Forum. :D
 
I had no idea that this problem was so common on this board.

I'll offer prayers for all of you. Good luck in your recoveries.

Does anyone ever really outgrow this condition?
 
Texas Star said:
.

Does anyone ever really outgrow this condition?
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No. Our brains process alcohol differently, and we can never drink safely again if we have the disease. It's very patient. After over thirty years sober I might get away with a drink or two, very briefly. Then I would resume dying, and that's not how I want to shuffle off this mortal whatchamacallit.

It's not just here that the problem is so common, it's everywhere. About eleven per cent of the population, the last I heard, and that's a WAG. One of the key symptoms is denial that you have it.
 
MNruss said:
I'm not the man I WANT to be,
I'm not the man I OUGHT to be,
But thank God -
I'm not the man I USED to be!
Click to expand...

July 27th 1985

no brag, just fact. Its a simple program, but no one said it would be easy. No matter what you just dont drink, period.

JUST REMEMBER FOR EVERY DAY I STAY SOBER, MY DISEASE IS IN THE CORNER DOING PUSHUPS.
 
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Many "hard drinkers" such as myownself have made cracks at AA in our lives. i for one am guilty of this "BUTTTTT" I also know the horrors of of those lost to this disease.
I have a great respect for those who conjur up the guts to look at life straight in the face and tell it, "not me man, I can do better than this bottle offers."
I would say Cheers to you but that might be considered differently than should be intended. I will say God bless God for being all to you than a bottle promises it will be.
Blessings
 
williamlayton said:
Many "hard drinkers" such as myownself have made cracks at AA in our lives. i for one am guilty of this "BUTTTTT" I also know the horrors of of those lost to this disease.
I have a great respect for those who conjur up the guts to look at life straight in the face and tell it, "not me man, I can do better than this bottle offers."
I would say Cheers to you but that might be considered differently than should be intended. I will say God bless God for being all to you than a bottle promises it will be.
Blessings
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Not a worry, like it was said to me, "are you done yet? " I was. We will save you a seat.

With Gods grace.
Chuck
 
I haven't had a drink in almost 9 years & I work at a hospital based addiction treatment center. The disease or disorder known as alcoholism or addiction is centered in the brain. It is neurobiological, usually genetically based & has nothing to do with morality, character or lack of self control. It is often incomprehensible to those who suffer from it & those who don't.
We are, however not a glum lot.
Great thread, guys.
Regards,
turnerriver
 
Texas Star said:
I had no idea that this problem was so common on this board.

I'll offer prayers for all of you. Good luck in your recoveries.

Does anyone ever really outgrow this condition?
Click to expand...

I do not think it "so common on this board" It is more common then most people know in the entire human race.. I believe there are other Countries that have a higher percentage per population than the US.

Plus there are all kinds of "drunks" You do not have to get up in the morning and start drinking.

Could be a "party animal" binge type drinker

No, addiction is addiction whatever it may be. Booze, nicotine, drugs, gambling, list goes on.

One is too many, 10 is not enough.

As a former smoker it always amazed me how some people could smoke 3 cigarettes a day. I would stop smoking for a year or more and "bum" one cigarette and within a day or two be back to over a pack a day.:eek: Same with alcohol, you just can not take that first one or you "wake up" again and it's a year later or something.
 
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Yes there are many more of us than most realize, and there is a reason for that. As the name implies, AA is all about anonymity.

You meet every kind of people at an AA meeting, many you never would have imagined. Outwardly 'normal' people with seemingly perfect lives that are anything but.

Yet there they are, seeking refuge from the invisible demons that haunt us all. It is that anonymous baring of their souls that helps them maintain a livable existence.

After 20 years I am comfortable enough in my own skin that I freely admit my faults, and offer my experiences as an example of the possibility of maintaining a clean life with the ever-present danger of relapse into insanity.

Many are not, some never will be.
 
Texas Star said:
I had no idea that this problem was so common on this board.

I'll offer prayers for all of you. Good luck in your recoveries.

Does anyone ever really outgrow this condition?
Click to expand...
That is appreciated, truly. No, if by "outgrow" you mean "be able to drink in moderation".
In my experience, it isn't a problem once you find out a solution and apply that solution.
A recovered individual doesn't struggle with it, any more than a person would have an irresistable urge to drink antifreeze, or eat baby food.:D
BTW I've sat in meetings with astronauts, incredibly famous musicians (classical and blues), plumbers, engineers and bridge builders, captains of industry and WalMart greeters "ad infinitum".
 
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Boys, we may have made it to the bigtime (as expert commentators). It is really great for me to be able to step up, with no shame any longer, and admit that I am powerless over something. I have an allergy. It is no different than if one is allergic to strawberries. As several have said it is a disease. Usually found in the firstborn, is generational skipping and a WHOLE bunch of unknowns along with some commonalities.. Those that have not endured it cannot be expected to understand it. Those that have don't need to read this post. I am on the north side of 35 years without it and don't think I will use it today. I am constantly reinforced to not use by the misery of others. It is almost selfish what I get from "helping" others. Really have enjoyed this read and hope more chime in.

Life is good.
 
In the Bastrop, LA group of 50 years ago newcomers were not allowed into the main meeting. Each one was given a time and an address where they were required to meet with a member or some members. If you survived the treatment you would be allowed to come through the door into the regular meeting. By '82 highschoolers were common and the main hurdle into the group was working up the nerve to walk in. Thankfully the bottom was raised so you did not go so deep as others.
 
Would also like to add for those that are perhaps reading and may need some help that all groups are not the same.

In a large city there may be several and you feel more "at home" in some groups than others. Just by the make up of different people. As mentioned folks from every walk of life all with the same goal.

The actually building or meeting room might make a difference. Some like a Church some maybe Hospitals. Where ever you feel the best and comfortable. No one is staring at you;) You are not alone, some may be old timers some first timers.
 
It takes what it takes, as they say. I knew a woman who was so embarrassed after making a bit of a fool of herself on champagne at her daughter's wedding reception that she decided it was time to get sober. I also knew a guy who woke up as they were tying a tag to his toe in the morgue. Most of us fall somewhere in between. ;)

The things we laugh at in meetings sound bizarre or worse to some newcomers, but they eventually see the humor and realize that we are laughing with, not at, each other. And we do laugh a lot after the initial pain subsides.

I don't have many funny escapades to tell about, but I did once get lost in what may have been the smallest bar in North America, and couldn't find the damn exit. Just slowly wobbled around the joint in stately circles, as the crowd marveled...
 
butchd said:
In the Bastrop, LA group of 50 years ago newcomers were not allowed into the main meeting. Each one was given a time and an address where they were required to meet with a member or some members. If you survived the treatment you would be allowed to come through the door into the regular meeting. By '82 highschoolers were common and the main hurdle into the group was working up the nerve to walk in. Thankfully the bottom was raised so you did not go so deep as others.
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Butchd,

Now it really is a small world. I did my understudy drinking in West Monroe, La. (Student at Louisiana Tech). Cheniere Inn, Mohawk in Monroe and other establishments.

As Rule 3 said we can laugh with, not at each other. And Diamondbacks crabcakes story is priceless.

I , too, will live in infamy. I was in New York City, drunk, some bar. Nature called and I took the short cut across the dance floor towards the Mens room. Seems I stumbled and fell on dance floor. I was trying to get up and soon a crowd gathered to watch me. Clapping and whooping, etc. A new dance craze swept the nation. Break dancing, and I invented it.
 
I got tired of drinking and all the good ol boy stuff 30 years ago---just got burned out after burning both ends at the same time.
I will have a drink at times---last year was a wild year--I had mebbe 4 drinks.
Blessings
 
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