July 3, 2023 - Readings in Recovery: Step by Step

 

Step by Step
Monday, July 3, 2023

“We alcoholics are men and women who have lost the ability to control our drinking. …All of us felt at times that we were regaining control, but such intervals — usually brief — were inevitably followed by still less control, which led in time to pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization. We are convinced …that alcoholics of our type are in the grip of a progressive illness. Over any considerable period we get worse, never better.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, 3rd Edition, 1976, Ch 3 (“More About Alcoholism”), p 30.

Today, I do not have time to waste mulling the myth that I can become a responsible drinker by “controlling” it. My history is etched in the words of the Program and probably with the histories of countless others. I lost control at some point, conned myself into thinking I could regain it only to plunge deeper into “incomprehensible demoralization.” Only when I understood and believed that alcoholism is progressive, that it always gets worse and never better without total abstinence, did I come to surrender to Step One: “Admitted (I am) powerless …” I am still powerless over alcohol and always will be, but I have power in recovery and, today, I have a choice: don’t drink. And our common journey continues. Step by step. — Chris M., 2023