Addiction & Recovery

Bernardo de La Paz

(57,434 posts)

17. The higher power can be non-religious, like Love. Love yourself, love others, let love sustain you.

Fri Dec 31, 2021, 07:35 AM

Dec 2021

When you feel you "need" a drink, but don't want it or shouldn't have it according to whatever regimen you have chosen, ...

... help yourself then by thinking of love: those you love, love for the wonderful parts of yourself, care for the not-so-wonderful parts (which get better with time), love for the good you accomplish, love for friends, love for country, love for humanity, ...

... love for a bird chirping in the morning.

Don't not-drink as an "obligation" or as a discipline. Don't not-drink because of the negatives which you are well aware of. Don't kick yourself. You've kicked yourself enough.

Not-drink for the positives of not drinking. Not-drink because when you don't drink you have more capacity to give and receive love.

If you fail and have a drink you don't want, that's okay. It's not really failing. Thomas Edison tried a thousand ways to make an electric light bulb and they all failed. When asked by a reporter, he said he was happy because now he knew a thousand ways not to do.

Don't worry about failing. Celebrate the successes of love as they occur and call them to mind from time to time.

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I have a serious drinking problem ... [View all] SarcasticSatyr Dec 2021 OP

I'm not sure what to suggest, except maybe consulting... Buckeye_Democrat Dec 2021 #1

Have you read about the Sinclair method? viva la Dec 2021 #2

Have you gotten to know anyone or asked for help? Rhiannon12866 Dec 2021 #3

I've been to AA several times through the years ... SarcasticSatyr Dec 2021 #8

Oh, yes, that was the wrong meeting for you Rhiannon12866 Dec 2021 #9

The higher power can be non-religious, like Love. Love yourself, love others, let love sustain you. Bernardo de La Paz Dec 2021 #17

That's beautifully written PJMcK Dec 2021 #18

I had trouble with the higher power thing to because though I believe applegrove Jan 2022 #27

Don't Give Up..Pick Your Own HP..Sometimes, mine is nature, kindness, caring, the good that the Stuart G Jan 2022 #34

maybe try some online meetings via Zoom cally Jan 2022 #35

I understand. ZZenith Dec 2021 #4

SarcasticSatyr, I think you have taken the hardest step by admitting you have a problem. LoisB Dec 2021 #5

See Under the Influence elleng Dec 2021 #6

I can't offer any advice, but I can offer encouragement. Lonestarblue Dec 2021 #7

Consider Allen Carr's "the easy way" elias7 Dec 2021 #10

After I read your post ... UpInArms Dec 2021 #11

For me it all came down to me making a decision Haggard Celine Dec 2021 #12

Naltrexone has helped me Duncanpup Dec 2021 #13

People wish to help you. You will find your way to get off alcohol, with help. Keep on keeping on Bernardo de La Paz Dec 2021 #14

Also campral Duncanpup Dec 2021 #15

I drank heavily for many years Bristlecone Dec 2021 #16

thinking of you this morning... markie Dec 2021 #19

I appreciate that, I truly do .... SarcasticSatyr Dec 2021 #20

SS, for many of us, we had to drink until we completely surrendered. KY_EnviroGuy Dec 2021 #21

Thank you ... SarcasticSatyr Dec 2021 #23

The whole god thing is why I have a problem with AA bif Jan 2022 #28

28 years sober here.. Permanut Jan 2023 #39

I'm a family member of people struggling and find this site helpful LiberalLoner Dec 2021 #22

What makes the grass grow? RainCaster Dec 2021 #24

Have you looked into SMART recovery? bif Dec 2021 #25

thinking of you this evening... markie Dec 2021 #26

I'm not ok .... SarcasticSatyr Jan 2022 #29

Congratulations, awesome start. Rhiannon12866 Jan 2022 #30

Thank you, I appreciate that ... SarcasticSatyr Jan 2022 #31

5 days is nothing to scoff at. Rhiannon12866 Jan 2022 #32

I know you are not ok... markie Jan 2022 #33

You can do it. LudwigPastorius Jan 2023 #36

Repeat...Don't Give Up. Never Give Up. Please seek the answer that is best for you. Stuart G Jan 2023 #37

SMART recovery is working for me bif Jan 2023 #38

I needed to make a connection with A-Schwarzenegger Jan 2023 #40