The debate regarding treatment for addiction and/or alcoholism and which institutions are more helpful has been argued a long time. A large variety of institutions are available to choose from when seeking assistance with chemical dependence. As a matter of fact, treatment is often big business and quite competitive between many institutions. Regardless of anyone’s opinions regarding this issue, it is hard to argue with a successful track record over many years. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has consistently helped millions over many years now to live day to day lives without drinking alcohol.
Alcoholics Anonymous can be found throughout the world in almost every venue. No matter where one might find themselves, an AA meeting can be found nearby should one choose to seek that resource. Columbia SC, for instance, has 248 meetings occurring all throughout the greater city in any given week.
Alcoholics Anonymous is organized in such a way that in large urban areas, an “umbrella” organizational structure is usually available to coordinate the many resources and meetings in an area. This organizational group is called, “Intergroup” and in Columbia SC, the local Intergroup can be found at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
Columbia SC 29205
(803) 254-5301
By possessing this one contact number, a single phone call can be made and the caller will be connected with a helpful attendant. The people answering telephones for Intergroup are very knowledgeable and respectful. Questions regarding nearby meetings, available treatment resources, literature and virtually any comments regarding alcoholism or addiction can be discussed with satisfactory conversation. Personnel answering Intergroup phones are aware of all area meetings and groups as well as local area treatment facilities, both private and public institutions. Your journey for “Help” want end at Intergroup but it is a great place to start when seeking “help” and often at a time of not knowing where to turn for advice.
No one would ever want to make this contact. No one wants to be an alcoholic or addict. For those of us that have walked this path, we each began with a footstep such as described herein. Fearful though it may be, HOPE can truly be found here for all. It would be advisable to keep this contact information as most families, at some point in there lives, often cross paths with this deadly issue.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Alcoholism: What is it? How did I get it? How do I get rid of it?
Wikipedia defines alcoholism as:
“A disabling addictive disorder characterized by the compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcohol”
Big deal right? While the above statement may technically “define” alcoholism, the simplistic sentence gives one little direction, let alone hope, in facing what is arguably the worlds most difficult and deadly issue since grapes were first crushed.
Alcoholics Anonymous provides a little more insight:
“Men and women drink because they like the effect produced by alcohol. They are irritable, restless and
discontented unless they can again experience the sense of ease and comfort which comes by taking a few drinks”.
AA goes on to say:
“Once they have succumbed to a few drinks, the phenomenon of craving develops”.
Although the actual experiences of any one alcoholic can be as different and unique as people on the planet, the AA definition provides a beginning to start ones “way of thinking” in regards to this deadly subject.
How did I get it?
Every alcoholic spends days with deep academic, analytical research in pursuit of this highly intellectual question or perhaps they will ask, “Why me”? The truth is people die waiting on this answer which typically comes right after many days of denial. Perhaps a better question would be “Does it really matter”?
How do I get rid of it?
Isn’t this the real question? Don’t we all want to get rid of every problem and then be able to continue living just like we always have? Without any effort? Without any pain or discomfort? Don’t we all want to walk into “some place” and shortly thereafter, walk away “cured”?
More important than “getting rid of alcoholism” and rushing back to our familiar way of life is the discovery of the miracle that allows us to actually learn how to live sober and to live without the overpowering obsession to drink alcohol. Believe it or not, the “trick” is possible for every single person regardless of age, gender, race, religeon or any other perceived obstacle and no one is ever “to far gone”. The miracle begins like a dim beam of an old flashlight with worn out batteries but on the darkest of nights, one can see that faint light. This dim light of hope will lead to a path of living sober. The beginnings of this path is within each of us and yes, it is within you as well.
“A disabling addictive disorder characterized by the compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcohol”
Big deal right? While the above statement may technically “define” alcoholism, the simplistic sentence gives one little direction, let alone hope, in facing what is arguably the worlds most difficult and deadly issue since grapes were first crushed.
Alcoholics Anonymous provides a little more insight:
“Men and women drink because they like the effect produced by alcohol. They are irritable, restless and
discontented unless they can again experience the sense of ease and comfort which comes by taking a few drinks”.
AA goes on to say:
“Once they have succumbed to a few drinks, the phenomenon of craving develops”.
Although the actual experiences of any one alcoholic can be as different and unique as people on the planet, the AA definition provides a beginning to start ones “way of thinking” in regards to this deadly subject.
How did I get it?
Every alcoholic spends days with deep academic, analytical research in pursuit of this highly intellectual question or perhaps they will ask, “Why me”? The truth is people die waiting on this answer which typically comes right after many days of denial. Perhaps a better question would be “Does it really matter”?
How do I get rid of it?
Isn’t this the real question? Don’t we all want to get rid of every problem and then be able to continue living just like we always have? Without any effort? Without any pain or discomfort? Don’t we all want to walk into “some place” and shortly thereafter, walk away “cured”?
More important than “getting rid of alcoholism” and rushing back to our familiar way of life is the discovery of the miracle that allows us to actually learn how to live sober and to live without the overpowering obsession to drink alcohol. Believe it or not, the “trick” is possible for every single person regardless of age, gender, race, religeon or any other perceived obstacle and no one is ever “to far gone”. The miracle begins like a dim beam of an old flashlight with worn out batteries but on the darkest of nights, one can see that faint light. This dim light of hope will lead to a path of living sober. The beginnings of this path is within each of us and yes, it is within you as well.
Will my child become an alcoholic?
Of all the possible horrors a parent can face during child raising years, losing a child to addiction or alcoholism simply has to rank near the top of anyone’s list. Can I get this child to adulthood without addictions? What is the secret? In today’s world, the challenges we face are ferocious.
In seeking suggestions during challenging times, it can often be helpful to draw from the successful examples of others in life. In doing so, a story can be encouraging:
Once upon a time both father and son lived in a typical middle class house in a middle class neighborhood experiencing middle class lives. The father was usually very busy with middle class work and caring for the middle class home. The twelve year old son busied himself as best he could.
One bright spring day the father paused from his labors and peered out toward the neighborhood. The father noticed his son sitting on a curb in the crowded neighborhood near a busy neighborhood intersection. The son looked bored but soon other neighborhood children began to gather around the son sitting on the roadside curb.
Suddenly the father was filled with horror as his mind saw his son’s future filled with dreadful misbehavior. The father thought “I’m loosing my son”.
The father gathered his son and the two drove to a motorcycle retail store and the pair went inside. Neither father nor son had ever ridden a motorcycle before but soon they both owned an off-road dirt bike.
Neither father nor son had any prior skill of dirt biking but both entered into the hobby with enthusiasm. The pair learned to ride motorcycles through trails in the woods together watching each other make mistakes. The two became a father and son dirt biking team and over the following years created many adventures and memories together. The day finally arrived the son was more interested in girls than his father or motorcycles and the duo faded.
As the years passed, the father saw his son graduate from high school, pursue further education, marry, begin a career as a civil employee in a federal job, purchase and upgrade three houses and become the proud father of three children himself.
The father learned the greatest gift to our children was not “things” but our TIME is what matters most.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)