StevenT

Saw this on a friends wall. Wanted to share.

AN ADDICT FELL IN A HOLE and couldn't get out. A businessman went by and the addict called out for help. The businessman threw him some money and told him to buy himself a ladder. But the addict could not buy a ladder in this hole he was in. A doctor walked by. The addict said, "Help! I can't get out!" The doctor gave him some drugs and said, "Take this. It will relieve the pain." The addict said thanks, but when the pills ran out, he was still in the hole. A well-known psychiatrist rode by and heard the addict's cries for help. He stopped and asked, " How did you get there? Were you born there? Did your parents put you there? Tell me about yourself, it will alleviate your sense of loneliness." So the addict talked with him for an hour, then the psychiatrist had to leave, but he said he'd be back next week. The addict thanked him, but he was still in the hole. A priest came by. The addict called for help. The priest gave him a Bible and said, "I'll say a prayer for you." He got down on his knees and prayed for the addict, then he left. The addict was very grateful, he read the Bible, but he was still stuck in the hole. A recovering addict happened to be passing by. The addict cried out, "Hey, help me. I'm stuck in this hole!" Right away the recovering addict jumped down in the hole with him. The addict said, "What are you doing? Now we're both stuck here!!" But the recovering addict said, "Calm down. It's okay. I've been here before. I know how to get out." -Author Unknown

Raider

Thank you for sharing.

Treerat66

'SR at the bottom of every pit.'

MnEman

thanks, just what I needed this morning!

Jaye

Thank you!

Jaye

dSober

Yep, not a short trip but he knows the way.

matt4x4

Isnt that the co-dependant that jumps into the hole.

fearNloathing

LoL, right.

None the less the story is very relatable, and sweet.

dSober

No, the co-dependent falls in the hole and doesn't know the way out (yet) any more than the addict does. The recovering addict does; as the story says.

matt4x4

I get the gist of the meaning. We are all the same, and we are here to help. I knew the gist of the story within the first line, but was curious as to the helpful person who jumped in. My guess would have been its an Alanon Joke. Where the Alanoner, jumps in and makes the victim comfortable. Can twist it to suit.

I dunno, this part here "Right away the recovering addict jumped down in the hole" doesnt seem right. I mean if he is a recovering addict, why would he jump in the hole so fast and unthinking. Would that correlate to the same "recovering addict" doing drugs so fast and unthinking. These 2 reactions are not sane. I would think that sane, rational thought would suffice. That a person in recovery and recovering would call someone up, make a plan, get a rope or a ladder, perhaps even the ambulance. Ask people closeby to help. Quick to help might be the learning lesson, think as to the best approach, go with someone "RECOVERED" on 12 step calls.

dSober

"But the recovering addict said, "Calm down. It's okay. I've been here before. I know how to get out."

I believe him and that's why he jumped in to help his fellow sufferer.

dSober

Just noticed your handle, etc. fearNloathing. You sound like you're not following Nick Cage's way out. I hope not.

I haven't seen that movie in years. I've been toying with watching it again but I'm not sure I'm ready for it yet.

yeahgr8

I'm not jumping back in the hole, I'll shout down how to get out and wait for you to follow my suggestions of how I got out there but the addict will probably tell me to mind my own business they can do it themselves.

Stick another addict in there with the first and then they can tell each other how well they are doing whilst they are stuck down the hole!

dSober

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result
of these steps, we tried to carry this message to
alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all
our affairs.

I guess it doesn't specifically exclude shouting down but hmm...

SouthernBe11e

Wow, StevenT that hit home with me. I love it!! Thanks for posting it.

dSober

Boy, that was dumb of me, duh. Wrong movie, was thinking of "Leaving Las Vegas", lol.

ru12

I find the allegory a good fit with my worldview. I'd rather someone show me than tell me... words are easy.