DayTrader

Ok, I pretty much hate 99.999% of the AA cliches that you hear around the tables - mostly because they're not factually correct, don't agree with what's in the book, or (more than likely) I just don't like the guy that continually uses them (hehe...sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly... )

Anyway, this is one I DO like and I thought it was good to hear early in my sobriety so I thought I'd post it.

The first things learned are the last things forgotten and the last things learned are the first things forgotten.

sit with that for a minute.....maybe even read it again...

--



Here's what it means - the way it was explained to me:

The first things you learned about alcohol and drugs are that they made social situations more pleasant or more fun, they cooled you down or warmed you up (depending), they eased your mind and seemed to lighten the mental load you carry around, they seemed to make life fun again <--- Those things are the LAST things you'll forget.

The last thing you learned about drugs and alcohol is that they brought HELL to your life. If you continue long enough, the fun times completely disappear and all that's left is the pain.....yet there you were, continually chasing that "good time" over and over...never finding it...only finding pain, disgrace, fear, depression, guilt, shame, and trouble. <--- Those, my friend, are the FIRST things your relapsin' a$$ will forget.

-

NEOMARXIST

Thanks for the post man. I've never heard that one before, the explanation was cool too.

Peace

scared1

Thank you for the post, I am 3 days in and I will definately have to print this out to remind myself later.

coming_clean

make good sense to me.

firestorm090

I'm sitting with it, lol.

Too early to think, lol.

CarolD

I consider AA mottos/slogans to be
a form of short hand communication DT.
Actually......
I've never heard the one you shared on.

The most valuable to me early on and even now
is self explanatory ....

'Keep Coming Back...It Works"

I did and it has.....

Harry01854

Well DT, I am glad you explained it. I mulled over it a bit before scrolling down and have to admit, I didn't have a clue as to just what it meant. Really had me stumped. Then reading the explanation, yes it made sense to me. And as sad as it is, it is so true. I speak from experience and I'm sure that many more can also. The two times I relapsed, all the misery, horror and pain never figured into the equation.

Thanks for the post and hopefully it will help a lot of people. Give them something to think about before they do relapse.

Harry

divineangel1012

That actually makes a whole lot of sense. Hmmm very profound

milwaukeeguy85

I love your posting style, keep em coming.

DayTrader

The guy who told me has 30 yrs sober as of a couple months ago.... grew up on the streets of Detroit and did ALL the things that sort of life entails: homeless, dealer, robber, etc...

He's a therapist now with 2 Masters degrees!!!

Mcribb

Meeting meeters make it!

stugotz

Coffee makers make it more often...

childofnite

This resonates with me SO completely - I actually stopped breathing for a minute when I read it. So profound - this should be pinned at the top of the forum!!!!!!

DayTrader

probably my most hated saynig

HarryB

I feel odd reading that because it was the complete opposite for me and has always made me wonder why I drank.
The first things I learnt about alcohol were that it tasted gross, made me sick and was the reason my father beat me. The later things I learnt about alcohol contained the "good" stuff.

CarolD

I totally agree....

Early on....I considered meetings were classrooms
for learning how to live sober

That's still true...but now I can mentor
as a recovered AA alcoholic.



Hmm.....DT.......I guess the "saying" I dislike the most is
"we are all still sick"
because I find it devoid of hope
and discounts those of us who are winning.

Heck...if you never think you will find the solution
that you will remain sick.....
why bother to do AA or Steps?

Sean4988

When I first read it, I didn't know what it meant. After you explained it, so true! Thanks