"The only requirement for A. A. membership is a desire to stop drinking."
People had been telling me for years that I drank too much and that I had a "problem". I didn't want to listen. I didn't need help. I had everything together. I was just fine. When I did hit bottom, it was so hard, that I stayed there for a long time. I thought that I could deal with it myself. When I finally sought help, it wasn't because I wanted to stop drinking…I just wanted to stop the fear and pain. I was afraid of dying.
I was brought to my first A. A. meeting. From within the fellowship of sober alcoholics came this deep sense of acceptance, no matter what I had done, where I had been, and what I looked like, I felt safe for the first time in years.
There were no expectations placed upon me, save one. Don't drink! These alcoholics - these giving, loving, people did not pass judgement. They didn't tell me I was bad or I was wrong or that I was not deserving.
They told me that they understood; they showed me that there was a solution to my misery, and they put their arms about me to welcome me into their fellowship.
Then; sharing their experience, strength, and hope - I was guided into sobriety by people who had walked this same path before me. My desire to not drink came upon me quickly as I was shown by the example of others what my drinking had cost me. I began to see that I was truly an Alcoholic.
There are many in our number who have been "Court Appointed" alcoholics and attend meetings under the duress of the judge's mandate. They certainly do not wish to be among us, but in time, a little A. A. rubs off on them. We do not, can not shut the door on these people. If nothing else, we have messed up their drinking forever. A head full of A. A. and belly full of booze is a miserable combination.
I exercise great restraint with these people. Recovery is not for people who need it…it is for people who want it. To that end I either help these people to reach sobriety; or to reach their bottom.
If they hang around Recovery long enough, the desire to not drink and use will overcome them too as it did me.
The Third Tradition is about Trust. The Third Tradition is about Patience. The Third Tradition is about Acceptance.
Tradition Four |
