harm reduction
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,945
harm reduction
Well it doesn't work ,. The real alcoholic can't manage his drinking. I drank yesterday and have a hangover from hell and it was only eight beers. I can't drink like I used to which was more then that ever since I started fibromyalgia medication I'd get the worse hangover lasting a day. So I'd drink a forty but every month I'd lose control and drink one then drive I was way worse off before I had four years sober in AA. I haven't b en to AA in six months I'm thinking of going back. Have any of you had over five years sobriety without AA ? When I say four years sober in AA that was four years ago it's been a battle ever since I relapsed thing is I believe in God I'm debt free my family love's me I just can't forgive myself and love myself and the self pity of being on disability for schizophrenia. I think going back to AA would help I'm gonna go tomorrow before I go full blown.
Forum Leader
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 16,945
I know you've been asking that question a lot lately DS...and it really seems like you did a lot better when you were in AA. I bet you might even be able to find a meeting yet tonight. If not tomorrow morning would be the next best option. Please do go before things get worse. You could probably even call the local chapter hotline tonight if you would like to talk with someone live.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 137
Big Book Pg 33
- "Step over to the nearest barroom and try some controlled drinking."
Good wisdom. When I around my drinking friends, I never engaged controlled drinking. I understand that I am wired completely different than them and accept it 100% without condition. Complete acceptance
BB There Is A Solution, p.23
"We are equally positive that once he takes any alcohol whatever into his system, something happens, both in the bodily and mental sense, which makes it virtually impossible for him to stop."
- "Step over to the nearest barroom and try some controlled drinking."
Good wisdom. When I around my drinking friends, I never engaged controlled drinking. I understand that I am wired completely different than them and accept it 100% without condition. Complete acceptance
BB There Is A Solution, p.23
"We are equally positive that once he takes any alcohol whatever into his system, something happens, both in the bodily and mental sense, which makes it virtually impossible for him to stop."
Last edited by crisco; 11-29-2016 at 07:54 PM. Reason: Added BB Quote.
12 Step Recovered Alcoholic
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Thailand
Posts: 6,594
Harm reduction is almost a political or accounting term. The policy here is to try and limit the damage, reduce the cost through counselling and medication. Relapses are acceptable and expected, but overall the sufferer costs the country less. That's the theory.
For the sufferer it is a pretty second rate deal, but even in AA, many are quite happy to settle for second best. It looks easier than the program, and, relative to how they were, their lives have improved.
Partly it is based in the scientific/medical approach which does not have an expectation of a thoroughly wonderful life at the end of the treatment. Instead it suggests that one will always be suffering, always at risk (my alcoholism is doing pushups out the back) and will have underlying issues that need on going therapy and medication.
AA, the program, has very high expectations as regards the outcome. A complete psychic change, a whole new out look on life like being reborn and geting a second go, freedom to do anything free men can do, ability to take lifes problems in our stride generally a very positive outcome is anticipated. But it takes effort, and not everyone wants to put in the effort.
Sometimes though, we are left without options DSM. Your experience this time shows that for you a half arsed harm reduction approach is just not satisfactory. It might be saving the state some money, but for you the outcome is less than second rate, it is total misery.
I think your idea of getting back to AA is a good one. On your other question about 5 plus years without AA, I can think of three on this site. There are no doubt more but many non AAers don't post sobriety dates so it is hard to tell.
For the sufferer it is a pretty second rate deal, but even in AA, many are quite happy to settle for second best. It looks easier than the program, and, relative to how they were, their lives have improved.
Partly it is based in the scientific/medical approach which does not have an expectation of a thoroughly wonderful life at the end of the treatment. Instead it suggests that one will always be suffering, always at risk (my alcoholism is doing pushups out the back) and will have underlying issues that need on going therapy and medication.
AA, the program, has very high expectations as regards the outcome. A complete psychic change, a whole new out look on life like being reborn and geting a second go, freedom to do anything free men can do, ability to take lifes problems in our stride generally a very positive outcome is anticipated. But it takes effort, and not everyone wants to put in the effort.
Sometimes though, we are left without options DSM. Your experience this time shows that for you a half arsed harm reduction approach is just not satisfactory. It might be saving the state some money, but for you the outcome is less than second rate, it is total misery.
I think your idea of getting back to AA is a good one. On your other question about 5 plus years without AA, I can think of three on this site. There are no doubt more but many non AAers don't post sobriety dates so it is hard to tell.
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