IF YOU ARE NEW AND YOU THINK YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ALCOHOL

In the beginning it is sometimes difficult for problem drinkers to read or listen to information about alcoholism.

First off, is to fully accept, that what 95% of the public perceives an alcoholic to be - is NOT the case. The normal perception of an alcoholic is the "down & out homeless hobo, who is drinking in the park from a brown paper packet". It is estimated that one in 10 people who drink are alcoholic. They maybe doctors, rock stars, policemen, lawyers, housewives, politicians, builders, sailors, butchers, bakers and candlestick makers. Just like every other disease, it does not discriminate. Approximately 40% of AA members today are female.

Second off, is to accept that Alcoholism is a DISEASE.......This is explained in the first part of the BIG BOOK, Alcoholics Anonymous - read this section now - click here

Until you understand this (that you may have the disease of alcoholism) there is often little or no chance of recovery. You see once you understand the problem (IE that you may have the disease of alcoholism) you will immediately be able to seek a solution. All the time you don't understand this problem you will continue to go round and round in circles feeling sorry for yourself attempting this and trying that without any real conviction...

Here are some questions that may be helpful - click here

Recovery from alcoholism (diabetes) can only progress once the person is able to accept that they are in fact (diabetic) alcoholic. (By replacing the words in the last sentence with diabetes and diabetic, it makes it perfectably understandable and acceptable. The importance of this is that once a diabetic KNOWS that they have the disease of diabetes they will than start to treat the disease with whatever solutions were available to them. This is why it is vital that the people who have the disease of alcoholism accept that they have it in the first place. You see once they HONESTLY accept this, they will thereafter seriously seek, like the diabetic, whatever solutions are available to treat the disease.) If only it were that simple!! One of the most prominent SYMPTOMS of alcoholism and also addiction, is that the person who has the disease in most cases really, really, really thinks that they don't have it!!

There is a solution, and this solution is detailed in the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, as stated in the forward to the 1st Edition of the book "To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book."

Now read up to page 60, CHAPTER 5, of the Big Book to "Being convinced, we were at Step Three,....." DONT LET THE WORD GOD PUT YOU OFF!!! In AA God simply means a "power greater than yourself"....OR as described in the Big Book "My friend suggested what then seemed a novel idea. He said 'Why don't you choose your own conception of GOD'" (Page 12) in other words it could be the sea, the moon, the universe.....It is also absolutely fine that this "POWER GREATER THAN YOURSELF" is the GOD, as known in organised religion if that's what you want it to be. It is very important however to understand that AA is not a religion but it IS a spiritual program.
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
Better still BUY the Big Book at your first meeting for NZ$23.00

Going to your first meeting......The best way is to call the service centre 0800 229 6757 and ask for help by having someone call you who is already going to AA. They will normally arrange to collect you and go with you to your first meeting....It is also fine to go by yourself, follow this link for meetings in the Auckland region - here for AA nationally

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