ALCOHOL & PRAYER

"All of us, without exception,
pass through times when we can pray
only with the greatest exertion of will.
Occasionally we go even further than this.
We are seized with a rebellion so sickening
that we simply won't pray.
When these things happen we should not think
too ill of ourselves.
We should simply resume prayer as soon as we can,
doing what we know to be good for us."
1952AAWS, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 105

Alcoholism is incurable -- just like some other illnesses. It cannot be "cured" in this sense: We cannot change our body chemistry and go back to being the normal, moderate social drinkers lots of us seemed to be in our youth. .
We can no more go make that change than a pickle can change itself
back into a cucumber.
- Living Sober, p. 8

"I knew from that moment that I had an alcoholic mind. I saw that will power and self-knowledge would not help in those strange mental blank spots. I had never been able to understand people who said that a problem had them hopelessly defeated. I knew then. It was a crushing blow."
1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 42

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Comment by CONNIE W. on July 22, 2009 at 5:43pm: IM IN THE SAME BOAT ...ALL I CAN DO IS TAKE IT ONE DAY OR ONE MINUTE AT A TIME ALL WE CAN HOPE FOR IS EVENTUALLY WHEN OUR CHILDREN SEE US CHANGE THEY TOO WILL FOLLOW.AS THE PARENT NO MATTER HOW BAD IT HURTS WE HAVE GOT TO SET THE EXSAMPLE (I HAVE FINALLY LEARNED THIS) THE HARD WAY!

Comment by ml on July 22, 2009 at 11:29am: I have been struggling for years not knowing if I was an alcoholic, problem drinker or was the product of my upbringing (very disfunctional, leaving a lot of pain and scars), I thought maybe I was bipolar, maybe a little crazy, and life sometimes gets very hard and I drink to ease the pain. Lately, my "problem drinking" has alienated my two daughters, and recently a friend. I said some painful things which I believed and felt, however would not have said it if had not been drunk. My words might have been forgiven, but being drunk was unforgivable. I know God loves me and forgives me, and I forgive myself. I guess I have to prove myself to my daughters. I have said I was sorry, but "that is not enough". I think I have forgiven myself, plan on going to some meetings, Am in in the place where I cannot control my childrens feelings and concentrate on my own health and sobriety right now?