A perspective on "More About Alcoholism" Chapter 3 of the Big Book

[nandm]

"I don't know. I see that I am quite a bit like these people, but if I can just quit drinking for a while I'll be OK. Maybe if I only drank beer I wouldn't get into so much trouble. I see what the symptoms of alcoholism are and though I exhibit some of them I am not yet willing to accept that I am an alcoholic. I feel that I am different than the authors and that I do not need to adopt such an approach to solve my drinking problem."

The authors, being just like us, anticipated our reluctance to admit our alcoholism. The short term laying off from drinking that we hope will serve as a solution is shown to be wishful thinking. One by one our objections are addressed by the example of the authors' own experience. We are allowed to make our own diagnosis of our condition.

The authors describe our greatest obstacle and share the fact that the admission to ourselves that we are alcoholic is the first step in our recovery

We learned that we had to fully concede to our innermost selves that we were alcoholics. This is the first step in recovery.

. The progressive nature of alcoholism is presented

We alcoholics are men and women who have lost the ability to control our drinking. We know that no real alcoholic ever recoverd control. All of us felt at times that we were regaining control, but such intervals---usually brief---were inevitably followed by still less control, which led in time to pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization. We are convinced to a man that alcoholics of our type are in the grip of a progressive illness. Over any considerable period we get worse, never better.

......Neither does there appear to be any kind of treatment which will make alcoholics of our kind like other men.

Some of our attempts at controlling our drinking are outlined

Here are some of the methods we have tried: drinking beer only, limiting the number of drinks, never drinking alone, never drinking in the morning, drinking only at home, never having it in the house, never drinking during business hours, drinking only at parties, switching from scotch to brandy, drinking only natural wines, agreeing to resign if ever drunk on the job, taking a trip, not taking a trip, swearing off forever (with or without a solemn oath), taking more physical exercise, reading inspirational books, going to health farms and sanitariums, accepting volutary commitent to asylums---we could increase the list ad infinitum.

Two methods of determining if we are truly alcoholic are proposed

We do not like to brand any individual as an alcoholic but you can quickly diagnose yourself. Step over to the nearest barroom and try some controlled drinking. Try to drink and stop abruptly. Try it more than once. It will not take long for you to decide, if you are honest with yourself about it.

....If anyone questions whether he has entered this dangerous area, let him try leaving liquor alone for one year. If he is a real alcohollic and very far advanced, there is scant chance of success.

The authorseshow that even long periods of abstinence will not restore our ability to control our drinking. If we admit we are unable to drink moderately, then the question is how to quit altogether. The baffling nature of alcoholism, our inability to quit entirely even when we sincerely desire to do so, is described

Many of us felt that we had plenty of character. There was a tremendous urge to cease forever. Yet we found it impossible. This is the baffling feature of alcoholism as we know it---this utter inability to leave it alone, no matter how great the necessity or wish.

The mental states that precede the first drink are illustrated and we are shown the undeniable insanity of resuming drinking after having determined not to do so and having a full knowledge of the consequences

Then I decided to drive into the country and see one of my prospects for a car. One the way I felt hungry so I stopped at a roadside place where they have a bar. I had no intention of drinking. I just thought I would get a sandwhich. I also had the notion that I might find a customer for a car at this place, which was familiar, for I had been going to it for years. I had eaten there many times during the months I was sober. I sat down at a table and ordered a sandwich a glass of milk. Still not thought of drinking. I ordered another sandwich and decided to have another glass of milk.

Suddenly the thought crossed my mind that if I were to put an ounce of whiskey in my milk, it couldn't hurt me on a full stomach. I ordered a whiskey and poured it into the milk. I vaguely sensed I was not being any too smart, but I felt reassured, as I was taking the whiskey on a full stomach. The experiment went so well that I ordered another whiskey and poured it into more milk. That didn't seem to bother me so I tried another.

Thus started one more journey to the asylum for Jim. Here was the threat of commitment, the loss of family and position, to say nothing of that intense mental and physical suffering which drinking always caused him. He had much knowledge about himself as an alcoholic. Yet all reasons for not drinking were easily pushed aside in favor of the foolish idea he could take whiskey if only he mixed it with milk?

Whatever the precise definition of the word may be, we call this plain insanity. How can such a lack of proportion, of the ability to think straight, be called anything else?

The seeming hopelessness of our situation, being presented to us in this way, leads us to the inescapable conclusion that left to our own resources we are certain to return to drinking

Except in a few rare cases, neither he nor any other human being can provide such a defense. His defense must come from a higher Power.

We are presented with a clear picture of the alcoholic problem. Our hope of recovering on our own is dashed as we discover the truth of our situation. There is nowhere else we can turn to find relief but to a Power greater than ourselves.

[Tommyh]

We learned that we had to fully concede to our innermost selves that we were alcoholics. This is the first step in recovery.


yep.I remember the day when it happened.one week later I went to a AA meeting and picked up my last white chip..thats where it all started at for me.