It doesn't matter if you are a beginner,
in the middle, or long term sobriety,
thoughts of what it was like before, during
and after alcohol always pop in our minds.
We remember how it made us feel, what it
made us do and so on.
Even for me with 22yrs sobriety, letting
the newcomer know that i too entertain
the thoughts of alcohol that come to mind
from time to time. Especially when im not in
tuned to my recovery program. When Im
not incorperating the tools provided to
us in recovery to help us on a daily bases
to stay sober.
When im not eating right, sleeping well,
not exercising, not getting enough fresh
air, when im on the run all the time, not
taking time out to relax and let things
bother me, go. When different feelings
catch me off guard. Resentments, anger,
selfishness....all sort of triggers can get
the best of me and thoughts of alcohol
will pop up.
I use to depend on alcohol for all areas
of my life, but 22 yrs ago, i replaced the
madness and craziness of drinking with
a program of recovery to help me, to
teach me with the knowledge learned
of my alcoholism and live each day without it.
Each day sober i followed in the footsteps
of many who had achieved long term sobriety,
wanting what they had, that freedom from the
chains of alcohol. They had the knowledge of
recovery that was freely passed on to them
and they were passing it on to me. To help
me and guide me with a program of recovery.
Today when one of those thoughts pop in
my head, i play some of those old tapes
to remind me how aweful my life was while
drinking and how it almost took my life.
It just wasnt time for me to go yet, because
i was given another chance at life and in doing
so all i have to do is pass on my own ESH to
others struggling with addiction.
So far the promises in recovery as mentioned
in the Big Book of AA have come true and are
still coming true today. They can be for you too.
Don't think, meaning dont romantisize or dream
about drinking, don't drink and work a recovery
program. It works if you work it. Recovery life works
if you work a recovery program.