12 Steps to Sobriety

The story goes that a woman came across a man lying in the street, drinking from a bottle. She verbally accosted him stating, "You know, the answer to your problems is not to be found at the bottom of that bottle."

The man looked up, blurry-eyed, and remarked, "That's why I have another bottle."

In rooms filled with people gathered around tables in the basements of churches or small rooms, from one end of the globe to the other, the introductions begin with, "Hi. I'm Don. I am an alcoholic."

Most rooms are no longer smoke-filled, but you can always find a table of literature, lots of coffee, and loads of support from many who were once homeless, in jail, and drowning in alcohol and shame.

There is no charge or fees to be a member of A.A.; the only requirement is a desire to stop drinking.

Prior to A.A., medical professionals, psychiatrists and the public opinion believed alcoholics were weak-willed, immoral and hell-bound sots. Nothing seemed to help them until Bill W., a chronic drunk, eventually founded Alcoholics Anonymous.

In 1934, Bill's attending physician, Dr. Silkworth, told Bill he believed that alcoholism was a "physical allergy and a mental obsession," rather than an indication of low moral character or lack of will.

Despite Silkworth's best efforts to treat him, Bill continued to lose the battle with alcohol and re-admitted to hospitals.

When Ebby Thacher, an old drinking buddy of Bills, showed up sober one day, Bill was in disbelief. Ebby attributed his status to the Oxford Group and explained how a small group of alcoholics had attained sobriety. Bill joined, but struggled.

One day, bed-ridden with depression and despair, Bill called out to God, and experienced a religious conversion. He never drank again, and realized a spiritual awakening was essential to recovery.

Together with Dr. Bob Smith and other members of the Oxford Group, Bill drafted his ideas in the Big Book, and began a fellowship that spread throughout the world.

A.A. is a program of the 12 steps and 12 Traditions that include fellowship, the Big Book of A.A., sponsorship and spirituality. The group is not religious and does not subscribe to or affiliate with any religious organization.

Using their first name only to ensure anonymity, members often share phone numbers, especially with newcomers, while those with years of sobriety sponsor others. Groups strive for confidentiality; however, it is a group setting open to anyone. Share your secrets and private concerns with your sponsor or closest A.A. friends.

In searching "A.A. Meetings in Tennessee," numerous meetings came up with locations and times. A search in your state should provide you the same. A telephone request to 411 for Alcoholics Anonymous replaces the days of stumbling through directories in phone booths. Attending a meeting is the best way to obtain recent information and locations of other meetings.

The journey to sobriety is worth it. Not only will a person become free of the disease of alcoholism, they will regain their sanity, their self-respect, peace of mind and with the Grace of God, possibly their family.

"It works if you work it" - A.A. saying at the end of the meeting. Part of the A.A.structure.

Sources: Personal experience. 13 years sober.

Photo: Whiskey. Public Domain