Originally Posted by
Purpleknight
Soo after reading all of that, it is almost midnight here, so that was a long read!!
I do understand the argument that the perception of free will could be an illusion, I have no idea whether that is true or not biologically, but considering most of my day is conducted on auto pilot there may be something to that, and then when I was drinking it was the same, good old auto pilot would take hold every evening as I would stop buy the liquor store, was I actively making a decision or simply being the prisoner of habit/routine?
Anyways, I have no idea, I have no idea on the answer to how the realisation, if it were to be true, links into recovery, unless it's linked into the mantra that I repeat over and over here on SR, I had to break that habit/auto pilot, I needed something outside of myself to challenge that pre determined mind frame of drinking I seemed to have every evening, a second opinion on things, short circuit my own thought processes!!
I would challenge though the idea that some people don't know why they can't stop, I think deep down I always knew, alcohol had become a problem and I had been caught up in an addiction that was starting to progress, the warning lights were flashing.
Developing new habits/routines, almost forcing the issue away from my old auto pilot was the key to everything, I didn't use a higher power etc, it was making new decisions to create Sobriety, where did that strength come from? what do I call that? I've no idea, but that for everyone to some degree is what it all comes down to, doing something different, making Sobriety happen through action.
Very thought provoking post though nonetheless!! Welcome to SR!!
![Smilie](images/smilies/smile.gif)
This is a really great post, thanks Purpleknight. I think the question we need to ask is what is that feeling of "autopilot?" How different is that autopilot from when you are piloting? Is there a difference? Or do you perceive a difference that is a perception that merely conserved for survival? I would totally agree that you breaking the cycle and developing new habits was key for your success. But since freewill cannot exist in any universe than we could possibly imagine (if don't understand why I'm saying this, you didn't watch the video) then there really is no difference from your autopilot and your perception that you are piloting. Your consciousness and perception of that is completely dependent on your brain. Now WHY were you able to stop? We don't know. You don't either. But did breaking the habit, coming on SR, etc help you to stop, absolutely. SR is helpful, but I bet you cannot tell me how you got here.
Because I googled for support
why? because I was drinking too much and I realized I needed help.
why did you think that? I felt sick that morning and I didn't want to feel sick
why? because I drank last night
why? because.... well I don't know I just decided to
why did you decide that? well Ive been doing it for a long time
the point is with every decision you make, knowing why you made the decision is not only difficult, it doesn't help much to know why. What helps is to know is that you couldn't have chosen NOT to be a part of this forum...