My disease is three-fold.

[Boleo]

My disease is three-fold. I have a physical allergy, a mental
obsession and a spiritual malady. If I take one drink, I will lose
all control of my liquor consumption (Big Book page 21). If I dwell
on the "good old" drinking days, I will be obsessed with re-living
them. If I attempt to choose not to drink "one day at a time", I will
find that I my "so-called willpower becomes practically
nonexistent" (Big Book page 24).

When I gave up nicotine, I simply choose not to smoke "one day at a
time" and it became easier for me each day. When I tried to give up
alcohol by choosing not to drink "one day at a time", it became harder
for me each day. My problem was not just alcohol. For me "not
drinking" did not treat my alcoholism. I was uncomfortable in my own
skin before I took my first drink as a teenager and I returned to
being uncomfortable in my own skin after I took my last drink.
Alcohol was my solution for 30+ years and did not become my problem
until my final years of drinking when it failed to give me comfort
before it made me blackout.

It was not until I recognized and addressed my "real problem" that
sobriety became comfortable. My real problem was in the form of the
"Four Horse-man of the Apocalypse " (Terror, frustration, bewilderment
and despair). Until I found a way of chasing them away, sobriety was
not worth having.

What keeps me sober today is what allows me to be comfortable in my own skin; serenity, humility and benevolence. I find that if; I practice these principles in all of my affairs (step 12B), God does for me what I cannot do for myself (12th ninth step promise). That’s the deal (literally). It is truly a simple program.

Quotes are from the book
Alcoholics anonymous..First Edition

[CarolD]

Thanks for sharing part of your journey with us
Welcome to our Alcoholism-12 Step Forum

[Music]

Originally Posted by Boleo

It was not until I recognized and addressed my "real problem" that
sobriety became comfortable. My real problem was in the form of the
"Four Horse-man of the Apocalypse " (Terror, frustration, bewilderment
and despair). Until I found a way of chasing them away, sobriety was
not worth having.

Well, there you go. That's it in a nut shell. Either I learn to live with those horsemen, or I learn to live without them. Through the working of the 12 steps, I no longer have to deal with those horsemen. Thank God!!:praying

[Dean62]

I used to think of us as the Five Horsemen, Terror, Frustration, Bewilderment, Despair and Dean62 because we used to spend every morning together. *shudder*

Your right Boleo it is "God does for me what I cannot do for myself" a simple program.

Thanks for carrying the simple message.

[Tazman53]

Well said Boleo, keeping it simple!

[tommyk]

Good post, Bolero.

I know now that I consumed alcohol & drugs due to my 'four horsemen' (depression, anxiety, panic, stress).

It is A LOT easier maintaining a clean & sober life knowing how to keep the reins on these guys.

When I let any one of these horsemen go off on a full gallop things start falling apart.