Originally posted by: rudeguy
Originally posted by: IGBT
Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
Maybe if the guy was deeply religious and stopped caring as he slipped deeper into alcoholism... then maybe a religious program like AA could help.
If he was never that religious in the first place, what would it do other than frustrate and confuse him? Tell him that he has to live a religious life from now on because it's the only way to keep from slipping back into a pit of despair? Teach him that if he doesn't turn himself into a religious person that he's destined to be a failure in life?
Thing is, religion and faith can help some people. But the people it helps are the ones who are receptive to it anyway. There are many people who are not at all receptive to religious teachings, and if this guy is like that, then AA trying to get him to replace drinking with Jesus isn't going to help him one bit. It might hurt him in fact.
..something Ive mentioned to my hell bent boozer friends and relatives, that at least gave them pause, "if your going to continue with your addiction atleast make your funeral arraignments now so not to burden your family". In a few cases that advisory was enough to get them to see a doctor for an evaluation. In one case he went to see the doctor only to find out his liver was shot and had months to live. Alcoholism is a serious problem and is largely understated in it's health consequences untill it's too late.
ok...let me just quit beating around the bush
I started drinking when I was 15. I took my first drink knowing that I come from a family of alcoholics and that if I took one drink I could become an alcoholic. Well that's pretty much what happened. I was off and running right from the start.
I drank to get drunk every time I drank. I couldn't tell you what its like to only drink 1 or 2 drinks. I spent 14 years of my life getting wasted pretty much every night. I lost jobs, friends, cars, apartments...and I never thought that me drinking had anything to do with it. Then this past January I got my third DUI. A generous cop and a loophole kept me out of jail.
I was ordered to go to AA as part of my probation.
I haven't had a drink since March 1st of this year. I have worked the steps and my life is changed in every way possible. I no longer have the urge to drink.
I can't go into details about what actually goes on in meetings...but its not a church. I still don't know how to feel about religion. I do trust God and have turned my life and my will over to Him. There is a big difference between God and religion. My Higher Power can be whatever I chose. There are no restrictions there. Hell one of the guys that helped write the steps was an atheist.
I now know how to handle situations that in the past I could only deal with by drinking. I also know that one drink for me will mean a thousand. That's not being dramatic, its being honest.
Alcoholism kills so many people. It ruins so many lives. Its a brutal disease. I am so grateful for every day that I have a reprieve from the desire to drink.
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)
