Alcoholism Recovery

As a person recovering from an obsession of alcohol or drug addiction we often carry a heavy load of guilt, remorse,and unforgiveness of ourselves and others that can easily force us back into the throes of addiction if we are unable to deal with them on a spiritual basis.

We are told that we must practice certain principles of recovery if we are to be successful in our journey through life and that spiritual growth is the primary goal for continued abstinence.To assure this growth, we must practice honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness to change

A person who suffers from alcoholism is afflicted with an illness and society now realizes that no moral implications or stigmas should be attached to the disease of addiction to alcohol.

No excuses are to be made for the alcoholic once they fully admit that they are chronically alcoholic. It is now their #1 priority to seek professional help and to be hospitalized if physically ill.

Those family members who have been involved and living with the alcoholic have also been affected and are in most instances as sick as the alcoholic.

They should also seek help from an organization such as Alanon that is associated with Alcoholics Anonymous. They will discover that they are suffering from an illness called Codependency.

The family must begin recovery together with all the willingness that they can muster if they want the family to survive the devastation that addiction has caused.

Perhaps you may still think there is an easier, softer way to overcome your dilemma. I can assure you that many of us who have tried the easier, softer ways have already discovered that there is none unless you still have some small doubt in your mind that maybe after a period of being dry, that you can then handle it like a man and drink socially. These quick cures and experiments we have found to only exist in the mind of one who is not ready to completely accept surrender from this chronic, devastating illness. Let me assure you that the only way is total sobriety with no lingering thoughts that someday you may be able to handle it. Once the problem drinker or drug addict has crossed what we call the invisible line, there is no cure save complete abstinence from all addictive substances.

Once again, there is no cure except abstinence. Alcoholism and drug addiction are always fatal unless one is able to muster the humility to admit defeat and be willing to accept help from those who have learned how to stay clean and dry. We quickly identify with those who have been down the same road we have and make no judgements against our past lives.

Many of you who have not experienced the humiliation and the physical illness of craving alcohol may think that we are all wet when we say that you must stop drinking completely. You cannot imagine a life completely free from booze. It all sounds like I am asking you to start living a boring existence by putting the plug in the jug completely. If you are as seriously addicted as we were than you will discover that you have no choice in the matter. This is the end of the elevator ride that you may be on. Two choices- Total sobriety or alcoholic death or prison. It is a big choice that you must make but I can promise you there are no other alternatives. Dry or dead! Sobriety of prison! When this point is reached you will be at the jumping off place. My hope is that you will admit complete defeat to this affair with alcohol. I know it used to be your closest friend and never disappointed you. Now it is your worst nightmare and has deserted you. That is what happens as we progress down the years with king alcohol. Once a dear friend who now promises to destroy us completely unless we refuse to fight it's terrible consequences. Our good times are completely gone forever. I've been there. I know the feeling. It's like a mouse in a corner and no escape. This is the court of last resort. Reach out to God and find His strength to stop alcohol one day at a time. There is happiness and serenity after alcohol.You must start this journey with all the strength you can muster. It will get better. It has for me and millions of others who have been there, done that.

Note: We have found, through personal experience, that Alcoholics Anonymous has been the surest method for recovery from addiction. However, we are not intolerant of the church or the medical profession for recovery. We only know what has worked for us through many attempts at a sober life. Many members of A.A. rediscover their lost faith in a religion of their choice.

We welcome any comments or questions from our visitors about the subject of recovery.

We will reply to any concerns about the subject of addiction or codependency.

God bless and keep you. I promise that if you will follow this simple program, there will be a

day that you will thank God for your decision to stay sober.

By the grace of God, I have maintained my sobriety since May 18, 1992.

Discovering Our Spirituality

Many of us who have spent 20 or 30 years of using mind altering substances must learn to be patient with ourselves. We do not become well over night.

Our very first efforts must be to understand that there is no faith or power that we can muster in and of ourselves. Our faith comes from God because we start trusting His will and ask Him in our prayers to give us the faith and trust to receive His grace for a "day at a time" because that's all we have available to us.

Yesterday is gone beyond our control, tomorrow is still future, and the present moment is all we have.

If you are suffering from an addiction of some sort, no matter whether it be food, alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling or whatever then perhaps you have reached that "moment of clarity." From my personal experience, I know that I became willing when I was sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Our main purpose is to raise your bottoming out process, hopefully so that you can avoid the lengths that many of us have gone to receive the gift of sobriety.

If so, then the reason for this web site has been achieved. My utter most prayer is that God will bless you and deliver you from what ever hinders you from being delivered from this devastating, insidious disease.

We, of Christian Harbor offer you our very best wishes for a joyful, sober life filled with all of the blessings that God will give you as you begin to turn more and more of yourself over to his guidance and direction.

"Abandon yourself to God as you understand God. Admit your faults to Him and to your fellows. Clear away the wreckage of your past. Give freely of what you find and join us. We shall be with you in the fellowship of the Spirit, and you will surely meet some of us as you trudge the Road of Happy Destiny."

May God bless you and keep you,

Until then.

Jim

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