Gratitude for Alcoholics Anonymous

Gratitude for Alcoholics Anonymous

I regularly experience great waves of gratitude these days for the new life I have been freely given by Alcoholics Anonymous.  I am so grateful that I can deal with difficult, uncomfortable or painful situations with dignity and wisdom, whereas before, I would have been completely unable to cope and would take a drink to calm me down.  This inevitably led to many more drinks as I sought oblivion to avoid having to take any responsibility for anything!

This uncontrolled drinking lasted for 30 years and it is a miracle that I managed to work and produce 3 children who were not taken into care or physically damaged by my irresponsible behaviour.  I cannot put my hand on my heart and say that they have not been damaged emotionally because I am sure they have, and thank God

I can be there for them now and give them the love and support I was unable to provide when I was drinking.  My amends to them and the rest of my family will last for the rest of my life.

I am so grateful that when I crawled into an AA meeting just over 5 years ago, I was desperate for a solution to the utter despair and self hatred I felt as a result of my drinking.  And thank God I heard a clear message of recovery in that group.  I was told without reservation that I need never feel the way I did again, providing I was willing to do some simple suggestions, be honest and accountable to one other person and take the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous fearlessly and thoroughly.

As a result of my desperation, the strong, clear message I heard at my first meeting and the willingness to do this to the best of my ability, I have been given a way of life and a peace and contentment that I never knew existed.  By working through the 12 Steps, I have experienced a ‘Spiritual Awakening’ or a change of thought and attitude that is so complete that I am now able to live a productive, normal life that gives me pleasure!!  Life was never enjoyable when I was drinking; it was a chore that had to be endured until I died. How dare I not be grateful for being given a new chance at this blessed life.

I do not think about alcohol and it is not an issue in my life.  I have been placed in a safe position of neutrality, and providing I continue to put AA first and practice the principles of AA in all my affairs I know that I can continue to experience the happiness, contentment and peace of mind that I feel today.

The promises contained in the Big Book have become facts for me and I feel as though my life started when I came into AA.  The gratitude I feel as I write this is overwhelming and I pray that I never start to take these blessings for granted or think that they have come to me through my own doing.  Everything I am and everything

I have is because of Alcoholics Anonymous, and for that I am eternally grateful.

 

                                                              Alison, Road to Recovery Group, Plymouth – May 2013