July 28, 2013 - Step by Step

Step by Step
Sunday, July 28, 2013

Today, we remind ourselves why abstaining from drinking is not enough in recovery. Addiction in general and alcoholism specifically are three-level diseases – physical, emotional, and spiritual. While not drinking is most certainly the beginning, it is not the end because abstaining will improve the physical ravages of drinking but will not treat the psychological and spiritual damage drinking inflicts. It is for treatment of the emotional and spiritual that we have AA; there, we are given the tools to undo the damage we have done and, when repair isn’t possible, how to accept our mistakes, forgive ourselves even when no one else does and move ahead toward sobriety. Without that treatment and when we depend solely on abstinence, we are less sober and more like a dry drunk. Today, I accept that not drinking is not sufficient to attain the sobriety and quality of the life I seek. Today, I pick up and begin to use the Program’s Steps of recovery. And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris M., 2013