As I understand it, there are two things which are in constant growth and progression in this life of alcoholism in which we find ourselves. The one is the alcoholism within us and the other is
our sobriety.
It’s not surprising when someone says they had thoughts of a drink. We’re not cured of this disease. We do practice abstinence, but the daily reprieve we have relieves us of the agony of having to struggle with putting a drink off a day at a time. But Bill talks about the insidiousness of this disease. It’s still there, hidden in our brains and bodies. Subconsciously we will always want to drink again and our bodies are all to willing to cooperate with this. And, if we ever doubt this and the progression, just talk to someone, who had some time away from a drink and went back and drank again. They’re always amazed and shocked at how quickly they were back to not only where they were, when they stopped the first time, but how they found themselves further down the road from where they had been before. This where we hear about how the “not yets” come to fruition unfortunately.
I was talking to an old friend the other day and they said that, having just gone through a very difficult period, that they were shocked to realize that the thought came to mind that this is the kind of thing which would make someone drink. But in that person the sobriety was still progressing and growing. They made the phone call and described what was going on with them. That’s sobriety in its purest form.
That thought expressed made me stop and think about this disease. It also made me think about the kind of life I have been so fortunate to have been given. I know that it’s gratitude which makes me think about this. How can I not remember that this is the best thing that ever happened to me. I owe so much to my Higher Power and this program.
Just thinking.