Called to Care Living Mission Every day - Karen - Flipbook - Page 24
Recovery
The Opposite
of Addiction?
Connection
Finding fellowship, hope and a
way forward in the Mater
Hospital with Mick C, Oliver R.
and friends
F
or most normal folks, drinking
means fun, friendship, and
carefree enjoyment. It means
an escape from boredom and worry. It
is joyful time spent with friends and a
feeling that life is good. But alcoholics
who are in the final days of their heavy
drinking don't feel this way at all. Any
pleasure they used to take in drinking
is gone. Good times are just
memories. Those of us in this
situation can't relive our most
enjoyable moments anymore. This is
painful for us. Many of us are
heartbroken that we can't feel joyful
and carefree while we drink. We are
convinced that a miracle might
happen, and we might suddenly have
control over our drinking. That's one
reason we keep trying and failing. We
always think the next time we drink
will bring that miracle of control. As
people in our lives became more
disappointed and frustrated with us,
we spent more time alone. We
withdrew from society and from life
itself. We became like people who
lived in a country ruled by King
Alcohol.
The longer we lived in this crazy place
the lonelier we became. Loneliness
was like a fog that surrounded us,
becoming thicker and blacker all the
time. Some of us visited dirty and
dangerous places as we searched for
other people who would understand
and accept us. Whenever we did, we
were relieved for a while. But then we
would drink until we couldn't
remember anything at all. And when
we woke up, we had to face the
hideous Four Horsemen of Alcoholism
—Terror, Bewilderment, Frustration,
Despair. Unhappy drinkers who read
this page will understand exactly what
we mean.
Yes, there is a replacement, and it will
give you more than alcohol ever could.
It is the Fellowship in Alcoholics
Anonymous. It will help you find relief
from boredom and worry. Your
imagination will come alive. Life will
mean something at last. The most
satisfying years of your life lie ahead.
This is how we feel about the
Fellowship, and so will you.
Alcoholic Anonymous A.A. began in
1935 in Akron, Ohio, the outcome of a
meeting between a New York
stockbroker, Bill W, and a Surgeon,
Bob. Both had been hopeless
alcoholics. They discovered that when
one alcoholic talked to a fellow
alcoholic they managed to stay sober.
Following this life-changing first
encounter Bill and Bob started to hold
regular meetings for chronic
alcoholics. Out of the shared
experiences strengths and hope of
these early meetings, the nucleus for
the Twelve Step Programme of
Recovery was born.
A.A meetings started in the Mater
earlier this year. There are no dues or
fees required to attend these
meetings, the only requirement is a
desire to stop drinking. The opposite
to addiction is connection. You will
find that connection in the Fellowship
of AA. If you think you have a problem
with alcohol you’re welcome to come
along and meet with fellow alcoholics
and share your story without shame or
judgement, with people who
understand and are willing to extend a
helping hand.
A.A. meetings in the Mater are
held Sunday 11am in MDT 3,
Rock Wing. E: helpline@hse.ie
P: 1800 459 459. All welcome!
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