How AA Works

Many years ago I discovered AA and it saved my life. I had become mentally, emotionally, and physically bankrupt. I Had spent two years and countless dollars with a psychiatrist. His reply was priceless... "you're not mentally ill you are an alcoholic. You need AA" I thought I had lost my best friend that day. My journey to a complete Spiritual healing had begun in anger. "I'll show that Doctor, he doesn't know what he's talking about. I'll go to AA and show them how to drink."

Early in my journey I encountered some unique individuals. My thoughts were "They have to have a jug hid somewhere. No one could be this happy without just a wee bit of Irish Whiskey.." I was wrong. The happiness was in the success of not using a chemical to feel good. Using little steps, little slogans, and huge examples of facing life on life's terms I learned along the way.

Remember everything in AA is but a suggestion, My sponsor did tell me "For me they were more like I better do 'em or get drunk and high!" Sometime in that first year I heard the story of How AA works. No not the one in the Big Book. This one was a legendary true story shared by many since 1935. It kinda opened my mind just a crack so the truth could slip in. Here is the story...

Simple story that explains why AA & Alanon work so well. A man was walking down a street & fell into a deep construction hole. He tried & tried to get out but couldn't. A Doctor passed past and the man in the hole cried out "Doc help me I can't get out." The Doctor wrote him a prescription, tossed it into the hole & walked away. A chaplain walked past and the man in the hole cried out "Padre help me I can't get out." The chaplain wrote a great prayer, tossed it into the hole & walked away. An AA friend walked past and the man in the hole again cried out "Please help me I can't get out" The AA friend jumped into the hole. The man in the hole exclaimed " You dummy now we're both down here & can't get out" The AA friend calmly told him " Not to worry I've been down here before I know the way out."

Today I feel there is many folks that could use these concepts. No I can't fix you marriage. No I'm not a psychiatrist. I can however show you how I live without any chemical assistance. I can show you the steps I took to get where I am today. I can hold your hand while you struggle with these life changing events... Because I was once the man in the hole. Mizpah.