Moderation Management; a program and national support group for those who wasn't to simply limit their alcohol consumption and make other healthier lifestyle changes.
Recommended for problem drinkers, not alcoholics or chronic drinkers; or those who suffer from serious withdrawal from alcohol. This program is for drinkers who have experiences mild to moderate negative alcoholic related problems. Moderation Management recommends chronic drinkers and alcoholics consider a abstinence-based program of recovery such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
I came across an article this morning about a women who advocates Moderation Management, and shames AA. A woman who has reportedly never been to an AA meeting...
The article entitled A Moderate Proposal on Moderation, written by Amy Dresner and featured on the fix.com, describes a writer named Gabrielle Glaser who published a book called Her Best-Kept Secret. The book; which I have not and most likely will not read; is a defense of Moderation Management and goes on to describe AA as "an abstinence pushing religious group wherein the predatory males prey on vulnerable female victims rendering the entire society of AA as a sexual abuse free-for-all not adequately monitored by AA's World Services office."
So yeah, that is her awesome opinion of AA. This, obviously is not my experience at all in AA. The article itself is a doozy, I would defiantly recommend it because it is an 'enlightening' read on what others think of AA. My opinion is that these are societies of people. And people are not perfect. I will be just as scared of being sexually assaulted at the grocery store than I will be at my morning meeting.
In reference to Moderation Management, it could be beneficial for those who think they drink too much, but do not have the biological 'allergy' that we have. I will endorse any program that teaches living a healthier lifestyle, though it is not for me.
I wish the best of luck for those problem drinkers. I pray they do not endure the bone-crushing despair that comes along with problem drinker turned alcoholic.
- Darbi
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Big Book Stuff: The Insanity of Alcoholism
In the last few meetings I have been too the topic of the insanity of the disease of alcoholism has been the main topic of discussion.
Nothing that I could ever say can explain the true nutty thought processes of a real alcoholic like it does in the Big Book. Here is one of my favorite quotes, and my general reaction to them:
"But, there is always the curious mental phenomenon that parallel with our second reasoning there inevitably ran some insanely trivial excuse for taking the first drink. Our second reasoning failed to hold us in check. The insane idea won out. Next day we would ask ourselves, in all sincerity, how could it have happened?"
- More About Alcoholism, Page 37
There is a saying that any AA will tell you "One is too many and a thousand is never enough". This statement, perhaps above all others has been truer to me than any other. I needed to take a hard look at my thought processes, or sometimes lack thereof, to see that in my twisted brain that that first drink was always my downfall.
I have NEVER only had one drink. Ever. And as soon as that first sip touched my lips it was always the thought about how I could have more and more. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results. How could I ever think that I could have just one this time? I never have gotten an answer to that question. Which is just one more reason I know I am an alcoholic.
- Darbi
Nothing that I could ever say can explain the true nutty thought processes of a real alcoholic like it does in the Big Book. Here is one of my favorite quotes, and my general reaction to them:
"But, there is always the curious mental phenomenon that parallel with our second reasoning there inevitably ran some insanely trivial excuse for taking the first drink. Our second reasoning failed to hold us in check. The insane idea won out. Next day we would ask ourselves, in all sincerity, how could it have happened?"
- More About Alcoholism, Page 37
There is a saying that any AA will tell you "One is too many and a thousand is never enough". This statement, perhaps above all others has been truer to me than any other. I needed to take a hard look at my thought processes, or sometimes lack thereof, to see that in my twisted brain that that first drink was always my downfall.
I have NEVER only had one drink. Ever. And as soon as that first sip touched my lips it was always the thought about how I could have more and more. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results. How could I ever think that I could have just one this time? I never have gotten an answer to that question. Which is just one more reason I know I am an alcoholic.
- Darbi
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Big Book Refections - #1
"Most of us have been unwilling to admit we were real alcoholics. No person likes to think he is bodily and mentally different from his fellows. Therefore, it is not surprising that our drinking careers have been characterized by countless vain attempts to prove we could drink like other people. The idea that somehow, someday he will control and enjoy his drinking is the great obsession of every abnormal drinker. The persistence of this illusion is astonishing. Many pursue it into the gates of insanity or death."
- "Big Book" Chapter 3: More About Alcoholism"
The other day I walked to the library to check out some books for new art pieces I was working on. I had a great resolve that day but the library was closed (thanks government). So I was derailed in a matter of seconds and walked right over to the corner bar and drank all afternoon.
I was up to my old tricks in no time. Being cute and coy at the bar to have guys buy be drinks, because I definitely didn't have the money for an afternoon binge. But, in my head I was just out to lunch like everyone else. I guess when I saw people come in and then watched them walk out I realized, again, that I was still different and still not a casual drinker.
I drank till the money ran out.
What is inside, or not inside, of our heads that leads us to believe that we are the same as everyone else? As someone who thinks I am somewhat better than others : ), it is hard to let something negative like "I am an alcoholic' define me. Why can others just have a few and go back to life. Don't they understand that this IS life?!?!
- "Big Book" Chapter 3: More About Alcoholism"
The other day I walked to the library to check out some books for new art pieces I was working on. I had a great resolve that day but the library was closed (thanks government). So I was derailed in a matter of seconds and walked right over to the corner bar and drank all afternoon.
I was up to my old tricks in no time. Being cute and coy at the bar to have guys buy be drinks, because I definitely didn't have the money for an afternoon binge. But, in my head I was just out to lunch like everyone else. I guess when I saw people come in and then watched them walk out I realized, again, that I was still different and still not a casual drinker.
I drank till the money ran out.
What is inside, or not inside, of our heads that leads us to believe that we are the same as everyone else? As someone who thinks I am somewhat better than others : ), it is hard to let something negative like "I am an alcoholic' define me. Why can others just have a few and go back to life. Don't they understand that this IS life?!?!
Welcome Everyone!
There are a whole host of reasons to stop drinking. Mine, was that I had to accept that I was an alcoholic and my life had become out of control.
Yours could be for other reasons, but the hard fact is that quitting drinking isn't like quitting smoking. Smoking has become frowned about and taboo. It's not allowed even outside most businesses in pretty much every jurisdiction. But, alcohol - cunning, baffling, and powerful is revered in our culture. It is expected that you start drinking with a bang at age 21 and somehow incorporate that habit along with a productive life. Some, like me are unable to find a healthy balance.
I am opening up this blog for others to talk about what they do to stay sober. Not so much what we did drinking, we all did some variation of the same things.
I am going to add many quotes and anecdotes, because that is what this alcoholic needs to hear to stay sober. I also STRONGLY advocate going to Alcoholics Anonymous. The information, strength, and hope found there is more than any book, blog, or otherwise can tell you.
Like I mentioned before I decided to get sober because I had too. I was young, 23 to be exact, and I had been drinking regularly only since I was 18. I had dabbled before-hand in my teen years, and I always drank to get drunk. Even at that young age. But, everything came to a head when I could no longer hold a job or take care of myself.
I have had periods of sobriety, 5 months being my longest. And, I think the reason for me drinking more often than not is because I have never put myself out there and did what I was supposed to. What other, older alcoholics told me.
But, I have a different resolve this time. I want to try something different. I want to put myself out there and figure out what it is this alcoholic needs to do to stay sober.
It's a great day to be sober!
- Darbi
P.S. I don't want to use this as a platform to embarrass or attack anyone. I will read and comment on every comment that I can and will immediately ban you if you are abusive. This is to share hope. Nothing more.
Yours could be for other reasons, but the hard fact is that quitting drinking isn't like quitting smoking. Smoking has become frowned about and taboo. It's not allowed even outside most businesses in pretty much every jurisdiction. But, alcohol - cunning, baffling, and powerful is revered in our culture. It is expected that you start drinking with a bang at age 21 and somehow incorporate that habit along with a productive life. Some, like me are unable to find a healthy balance.
I am opening up this blog for others to talk about what they do to stay sober. Not so much what we did drinking, we all did some variation of the same things.
I am going to add many quotes and anecdotes, because that is what this alcoholic needs to hear to stay sober. I also STRONGLY advocate going to Alcoholics Anonymous. The information, strength, and hope found there is more than any book, blog, or otherwise can tell you.
Like I mentioned before I decided to get sober because I had too. I was young, 23 to be exact, and I had been drinking regularly only since I was 18. I had dabbled before-hand in my teen years, and I always drank to get drunk. Even at that young age. But, everything came to a head when I could no longer hold a job or take care of myself.
I have had periods of sobriety, 5 months being my longest. And, I think the reason for me drinking more often than not is because I have never put myself out there and did what I was supposed to. What other, older alcoholics told me.
But, I have a different resolve this time. I want to try something different. I want to put myself out there and figure out what it is this alcoholic needs to do to stay sober.
It's a great day to be sober!
- Darbi
P.S. I don't want to use this as a platform to embarrass or attack anyone. I will read and comment on every comment that I can and will immediately ban you if you are abusive. This is to share hope. Nothing more.
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