Allergy or No Allergy

Some people just really hate the word allergy.

I think I’m going to stop using it. We don’t HAVE to use the word. It’ s just a word and there is no insistence upon it’s adoption made anywhere in the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous.

Obsession? YES.

Insanity? YES.

Craving? Most definitely.

But “Allergy” NONE!

It is simply a suggested term from Dr. Silkworth. The co-authors of the Big Book did not embrace the term with both arms and legs either, you know. In fact they gave it a decent sized berth.

“This phenomenon, as we have suggested, may be the manifestation of an allergy”.

“May be” an allergy? Not sure that it is an allergy? NOPE!

To get into a debate over whether or not alcoholics are actually, medically or semantically “ALLERGIC” to alcohol is just plain imbecilic. It is a distraction from the real intent of the co-authors. They didn’t care if ascribed the word “allergy” to it – as long as we were aware of the condition known as a physical “CRAVING” for alcohol – a reaction which very few people – only alcoholics – experience.

A Big Book Thumper’s commandeering of the word “Allergy” is easily justified; by its literal description, the physical craving most certainly can fit that definition – if not medically then certainly semantically. (See Caldron)

But just for the sake of keeping my head from being constantly hit with rotten eggs tomatoes and an occasional anvil I think I might just deep six the term straight out of my personal vocabulary.

It won’t effect what I have learned about alcoholism in the least – not as long as I am able to identify what the word “Allergy” was being proposed to describe by Silkworth:

PHYSICAL CRAVING FOR ALCOHOL – CAUSED BY
and AFTER ALCOHOL ENTERS THE BODY.

Call it whatever the hell you want. Call it Moo Goo Gai Pan Syndrome - it doesn’t matter.

“Our description of the alcoholic.” doesn’t refer to the craving as allergy at all – not in the first forty three pages – not in the next one hundred and twenty one. Only Dr. Silkworth mentions it in “The Doctors’ Opinion” and even he does not insist upon it.

So lighten up all you “It’s all in the mind” types. Alcoholism centers in the mind but as the co-founders noted in their comments about Dr. Silkworth’s testimonial letters in “The Doctor’s Opinion”,

The doctor’s theory that we have an allergy to alcohol interests us. As laymen, our opinion as to its soundness may, of course, mean little. But as ex-problem drinkers, we can say that his explanation makes good sense. It explains many things for which we cannot otherwise account.”

Hardly an iron clad endorsement in favor of everyone jumping on the “ALLERGY” bandwagon – only that the physical craving be acknowledged and included in the description of alcoholism.

“In our belief, any picture of the alcoholic which leaves out this physical factor is incomplete”

So lets all take some chill pills on the allergy subject. Call it allergy or not – just don’t forget that alcoholism is a TWO FOLD disease:

1 – Mental/Obsession/Insanity AND
2 – Physical/Craving.

“Allergy” (the word) is optional – and if you know that alcohol in any amount will trigger an abnormal reaction – called “craving” for more alcohol then you get it. If you think is solely a mental condition – then you don’t.

Peace,

Danny S

Allergy or No Allergy

Some people just really hate the word allergy.

I think I’m going to stop using it. We don’t HAVE to use the word. It’ s just a word and there is no insistence upon it’s adoption made anywhere in the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous.

Obsession? YES.

Insanity? YES.

Craving? Most definitely.

But “Allergy” NONE!

It is simply a suggested term from Dr. Silkworth. The co-authors of the Big Book did not embrace the term with both arms and legs either, you know. In fact they gave it a decent sized berth.

“This phenomenon, as we have suggested, may be the manifestation of an allergy”.

“May be” an allergy? Not sure that it is an allergy? NOPE!

To get into a debate over whether or not alcoholics are actually, medically or semantically “ALLERGIC” to alcohol is just plain imbecilic. It is a distraction from the real intent of the co-authors. They didn’t care if ascribed the word “allergy” to it – as long as we were aware of the condition known as a physical “CRAVING” for alcohol – a reaction which very few people – only alcoholics – experience.

A Big Book Thumper’s commandeering of the word “Allergy” is easily justified; by its literal description, the physical craving most certainly can fit that definition – if not medically then certainly semantically. (See Caldron)

But just for the sake of keeping my head from being constantly hit with rotten eggs tomatoes and an occasional anvil I think I might just deep six the term straight out of my personal vocabulary.

It won’t effect what I have learned about alcoholism in the least – not as long as I am able to identify what the word “Allergy” was being proposed to describe by Silkworth:

PHYSICAL CRAVING FOR ALCOHOL – CAUSED BY
and AFTER ALCOHOL ENTERS THE BODY.

Call it whatever the hell you want. Call it Moo Goo Gai Pan Syndrome - it doesn’t matter.

“Our description of the alcoholic.” doesn’t refer to the craving as allergy at all – not in the first forty three pages – not in the next one hundred and twenty one. Only Dr. Silkworth mentions it in “The Doctors’ Opinion” and even he does not insist upon it.

So lighten up all you “It’s all in the mind” types. Alcoholism centers in the mind but as the co-founders noted in their comments about Dr. Silkworth’s testimonial letters in “The Doctor’s Opinion”,

The doctor’s theory that we have an allergy to alcohol interests us. As laymen, our opinion as to its soundness may, of course, mean little. But as ex-problem drinkers, we can say that his explanation makes good sense. It explains many things for which we cannot otherwise account.”

Hardly an iron clad endorsement in favor of everyone jumping on the “ALLERGY” bandwagon – only that the physical craving be acknowledged and included in the description of alcoholism.

“In our belief, any picture of the alcoholic which leaves out this physical factor is incomplete”

So lets all take some chill pills on the allergy subject. Call it allergy or not – just don’t forget that alcoholism is a TWO FOLD disease:

1 – Mental/Obsession/Insanity AND
2 – Physical/Craving.

“Allergy” (the word) is optional – and if you know that alcohol in any amount will trigger an abnormal reaction – called “craving” for more alcohol then you get it. If you think is solely a mental condition – then you don’t.

Peace,

Danny S

Got A Bad Case Of The Krebs

There are all any kinds of alcohol. The particular alcohol which has caused us so much trouble and grief is Ethyl Alcohol also known as ETOH or Ethanol. That’s the one we like!

It may surprise you to learn that the alcohol contained in the alcoholic beverages that we have so enthusiastically poured down our greedy little gullets — or ethanol — is actually a carbohydrate.

That’s right – it’s FOOD, which the body absorbs and metabolizes as a source of energy, producing calories. This is accomplished in what is known as the “Krebs Cycle“ which breaks all carbohydrates (alcohol included) into carbon dioxide and water to generate a form of usable energy.

A minority of humans – estimated at perhaps only ten percent of the world population – experiences an abnormal reaction to this type of alcohol since it produces a phenomenon of craving in these individuals.

This is not an experience with which most people identify. They NEVER experience it – hence it can be considered an “Allergy” – in the same way that some people have no tolerance for sunlight, or peanuts are both considered allergies.

Just can’t bring yourself to use the word “Allergy“? Fine! Call it what you like – but its abnormal and if you don’t experience it once any alcohol whatever enters your system – you don’t fit “Our description of the alcoholic” which is so exhaustively explained in the first forty three pages of the Big Book, “Alcoholics Anonymous”. (Oh crap! Now you’ll NEVER let the Big Book into your silly little Open Discussion Group Meeting!)

People who abuse alcohol and do not experience this allergic reaction would not be considered real alcoholics according the book “Alcoholics Anonymous” also known as The Big Book – even though they may develop serious health and social consequences stemming from their heavy or hard drinking.

There is help for them. it is called COUNSELING! Or maybe CHURCH. Or even just getting “Sick and being of being sick and tired”. That ought to keep a non-alcoholic away from booze.

Hell I know folks who stopped drinking just because their wives wouldn’t screw them anymore! There are no such success stories of self-will for us real alkies.

Real alkies drink – NO MATTER WHAT.

Other types of alcohols such as the kind that may be present in trace amounts in some food products like orange juice, which have no energy value have no deleterious effects on the alcoholic in such minuscule amounts since alcoholics are not typically allergic to these.

So the next time someone wants to tell you that a drug is a drug is a drug – and that it is OK to tell non-alcoholic drug addicts that have become members of Alcoholics Anonymous – ask him how many calories he thinks are in a stem full of crack?

How much energy does he get from a shot of heroin?

Do Oxys make him feel full?

And the next time someone at a party asks you why you aren’t drinking, do what I do.

First look around in both directions to see that no one else is listening. Then simply raise your Ginger Ale – raise one eyebrow – swirl a few ice cubes around in your glass – not too much – just enough to make a slight tinkling sound – then look them in the eye and say, “Oh no, no. . . I’d love to but . . . I’ve got Krebs”.

Peace,

Danny S

Got A Bad Case Of The Krebs

There are all any kinds of alcohol. The particular alcohol which has caused us so much trouble and grief is Ethyl Alcohol also known as ETOH or Ethanol. That’s the one we like!

It may surprise you to learn that the alcohol contained in the alcoholic beverages that we have so enthusiastically poured down our greedy little gullets — or ethanol — is actually a carbohydrate.

That’s right – it’s FOOD, which the body absorbs and metabolizes as a source of energy, producing calories. This is accomplished in what is known as the “Krebs Cycle“ which breaks all carbohydrates (alcohol included) into carbon dioxide and water to generate a form of usable energy.

A minority of humans – estimated at perhaps only ten percent of the world population – experiences an abnormal reaction to this type of alcohol since it produces a phenomenon of craving in these individuals.

This is not an experience with which most people identify. They NEVER experience it – hence it can be considered an “Allergy” – in the same way that some people have no tolerance for sunlight, or peanuts are both considered allergies.

Just can’t bring yourself to use the word “Allergy“? Fine! Call it what you like – but its abnormal and if you don’t experience it once any alcohol whatever enters your system – you don’t fit “Our description of the alcoholic” which is so exhaustively explained in the first forty three pages of the Big Book, “Alcoholics Anonymous”. (Oh crap! Now you’ll NEVER let the Big Book into your silly little Open Discussion Group Meeting!)

People who abuse alcohol and do not experience this allergic reaction would not be considered real alcoholics according the book “Alcoholics Anonymous” also known as The Big Book – even though they may develop serious health and social consequences stemming from their heavy or hard drinking.

There is help for them. it is called COUNSELING! Or maybe CHURCH. Or even just getting “Sick and being of being sick and tired”. That ought to keep a non-alcoholic away from booze.

Hell I know folks who stopped drinking just because their wives wouldn’t screw them anymore! There are no such success stories of self-will for us real alkies.

Real alkies drink – NO MATTER WHAT.

Other types of alcohols such as the kind that may be present in trace amounts in some food products like orange juice, which have no energy value have no deleterious effects on the alcoholic in such minuscule amounts since alcoholics are not typically allergic to these.

So the next time someone wants to tell you that a drug is a drug is a drug – and that it is OK to tell non-alcoholic drug addicts that have become members of Alcoholics Anonymous – ask him how many calories he thinks are in a stem full of crack?

How much energy does he get from a shot of heroin?

Do Oxys make him feel full?

And the next time someone at a party asks you why you aren’t drinking, do what I do.

First look around in both directions to see that no one else is listening. Then simply raise your Ginger Ale – raise one eyebrow – swirl a few ice cubes around in your glass – not too much – just enough to make a slight tinkling sound – then look them in the eye and say, “Oh no, no. . . I’d love to but . . . I’ve got Krebs”.

Peace,

Danny S

What You Crave

Imagine a lust — emanating from deep down in the solar plexus of the human physique — so powerful that it is beyond the mental control of even some of the most powerfully willful human beings on the face of the earth – people whose exemplary use of extreme self-will and mental self-sufficiency were the rule of their lives – yet these were overpowered and torn to unusable shreds and like gravity there is just no escape by any human measure known to man?

Sounds pretty evil – doesn’t it?

We are not talking about a craving for chocolate ice cream here folks – the appetence for which, once satisfied – ends the ordeal. We are not even talking about heroin – the hideous drug from which once in the throws of withdrawal – a wracked addict gets his new “Fix” - his “Jones” is satisfied — and he’s “Good”.

You may be disappointed to know that I don’t mean to include White Castles in this description either. Sorry.

We are talking about something else entirely. Something that can be very difficult to understand for the average heavy drinker, alcohol abuser, drug addict or even Murder Burger fanatic – unless they also happen to be alcoholic.

We are talking about craving for ALCOHOL (ETOH) - phenomenon that doesn’t even occur until ETOH is FIRST introduced into the body and from which once detoxed, the sufferer cannot even crave anymore – until he once again drinks.

Weird huh?

Here’s a good question:

“In order for an alcoholic to be an alcoholic of the type described by the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous and for whom the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous was formed, must there be an actual allergy to alcohol?”

(We are putting the mental component aside for the moment)

“We believe, and so suggested a few years ago, that the action of alcohol on these chronic alcoholics is a manifestation of an allergy; that the phenomenon of craving is limited to this class and never occurs in the average temperate drinker.” (1)

“This phenomenon, as we have suggested, may be the manifestation of an allergy which differentiates these people, and sets them apart as a distinct entity.” (1)

“Suggested“? — “May be”? — The idea that the phenomenon of craving is a scientifically endorsed “Allergy” doesn’t sound very solid does it?

And it’s not – and Dr. Silkworth goes one step further to acknowledge the possibility of his erring in characterizing the phenomenon he discovered as incorrect when he says, “This immediately precipitates us into a seething cauldron of debate. Much has been written pro and con, but among physicians, the general opinion seems to be that most chronic alcoholics are doomed.” (1)

He admits that “Allergy” his “Suggestion” which “May be” is certainly not an ironclad medical fact. He admits that it is DEBATABLE. The observation of the phenomenon is not in question, but use of the word “allergy” is. So what.

What IS solid is the doctor’s observation of the phenomenon itself, whether it be an allergy or not.

Even the co-author’s commentary on the good doctors “Suggested” use of the word “Allergy” was not bought one hundred percent. They say, “ The doctor’s theory that we have an allergy to alcohol interests us. As laymen, our opinion as to its soundness may, of course, mean little. But as ex-problem drinkers, we can say that his explanation makes good sense. It explains many things for which we cannot otherwise account.” (1)

The lowdown on this is that they are telling us,

“HEY. We don’t know what the hell it is. Maybe it’s some kind of allergy or something. All we know is that is exists and it only exists in people like us who are different”.

They are also telling us that, “In our belief, any picture of the alcoholic which leaves out this physical factor is incomplete.” (1) Tell that to your “Addictions Counselor” on your next run through the Rehab Mill. He won’t know what the fuck you are talking about.

Whether or not I use the word allergy is really not important. I don’t let unbelievers get me all bogged down in the semantics of this – it gives them too much fodder with which to discredit AAs “Description of the alcoholic”. What I also DON’T allow is someone to tell me that without experiencing the phenomenon of craving – that someone still ought to qualify for my sponsorship. Friendship? Yes, of course! Sponsorship? Absolutely not!

AA is full of folks who can’t stop once they start – BUT CAN “Not start” if they need to be sober for a spell – say for an important meeting, class, job interview – or just so wifey, hubby, Judge Blackrobe or yes even Sponsor Pete and Home Group is pleased. Hell he can stay away from a drink long enough to make an AA meeting and get a medallion!

These people may experience a physical craving for ETOH and this is a serious problem for them. But they are not powerless over alcohol if they are able to just “Put the plug in the jug” and that solves it for them. Once realizing they cannot stop once they start all they need do is NOT START! You know . . . “just don’t pickup the first drink and then I can’t get drunk”. I am the type of drinker however who can not only stop once I start – but I can’t even NOT START!

There are real alcoholics of MY TYPE out there who need help and to waste time with these other types can mean the death of a true sufferer. Maybe if I were running some sort of Treatment-Rehab facility with a staff of holy men on board I could afford to take them all in and sort them out later – but I am only one man. (Excuse me, I must take a break now – until my laughter subsides. The picture of that is too hysterical.)

Ok, I’m back. Pheeew!

Anyway . . . It is the physical craving – (“Suggested” as an allergy) which is present in ALL alcoholics and maybe even some non-alcoholics, which Dr. Silkworth AND the co-authors insist is part and parcel to the “Description of the alcoholic” they exact for us.

Whether anyone wants to call it “ALLERGY” or not is immaterial. They SAY it is immaterial – as long as we acknowledge some sort of phenomenon.

Call it CacaPooPooPeePee Syndrome if you like it doesn’t matter – but we do acknowledge that, “We know that while the alcoholic keeps away from drink, as he may do for months or years, he reacts much like other men. We are equally positive that once he takes alcohol whatever into his system, something happens, both in the bodily and mental sense, which makes it virtually impossible for him to stop” (22:4)

So if you are offended by my use of the word allergy, then you may feel better in knowing that I am a real alcoholic and I have suffered from a malady which is a mental obsession combined with CacaPooPooPeePee Syndrome. Feel better now?

But this article would not be complete without giving something to all of us who DO like to refer to the physical craving as an “ALLERGY”. Take heart fellow allergic, for what follows are the definitions of “allergy” from Merriam Webster’s dictionary.

First let’s look at one definition, the one everyone like since it’s likely to be the only one to which they have been exposed: (from Merriam-Webster )

First let’s look at one definition, the one everyone like since it’s likely to be the only one to which they have been exposed: (from Merriam-Webster )

1 : altered bodily reactivity (as hypersensitivity) to an antigen in response to a first exposure

Ahh but “Allergy” is not limited to this single description. Now try this definition – just as valid – on for size:

2 : exaggerated or pathological immunological reaction (as by sneezing, difficult breathing, itching, or skin rashes) to substances, situations, or physical states that are without comparable effect on the average individual.

THIS is the definition which applies to alcoholism – not the first – but ignorance the second definition is no excuse for passing around false information, is it? The most popular “definition” – the one to which most of us have limited our knowledge is NOT what we are talking about when we talk about alcoholic allergy. If can expand our knowledge base to include the WHOLE definition of “allergy” and not keep it only to our own limited experience – ANYONE can understand why all alcoholics ARE allergic to alcohol.

When an alcohol allergic person has so much as one drop of alcohol, they experience an exaggerated or pathological reaction to the alcohol that are without comparable effect on the average individual. It is estimated that only ten to fifteen percent of the world’s population are afflicted – which perhaps is why you have never been exposed to the whole definition of “allergy” – it just does not apply to most people.

But just because of that – no one should don’t rule out how we real alcoholics react to ETOH. The exaggerated or pathological reaction manifests itself as a phenomenon of craving. Craving is not a reaction which the average individual experiences when they ingest alcohol.

This happens ONLY to alcohol allergic people. Can you see how what we don’t know – and claim to know – can harm others?

So take heart – both “allergy” folks and “physical craving” folks. If the word “Allergy” is pissing people off – then don’t use the word. Screw it! It matters little as long we acknowledge the physical craving that other temperate drinkers – non-alcoholics – do not experience.

Here’s an article that may be of interest to you if you care to learn more. If not just click away to other regions of the Internet.

Do Drugs Make Your Ass Big?

Peace,

Danny S

PS The answer to the first question at the beginning of this article should be apparent if you’ve read it. It is YES.

(1) the Doctors Opinion, “Alcoholics Anonymous”

What We Don’t Know Can Kill Us

I heard a guy online recently telling people that “ALLERGY” is NOT part of alcoholism. I can understand not “BUYING” the allergy angle sometimes because so few of us have it explained to us – and unless we study the Big Book – we may NEVER understand it. But unless we do – we are fucked! Pardon the expletive. I am no saint!

Allergy is a perfectly proper and well accepted word to those of us who understand the malady –because unless a real alcoholic can come to grips with the fact that he has an allergy to alcohol – his recovery will elude him. And unless we who have recovered understand it enough to explain it to a newcomer, then we can effectively work with others – and THAT is detrimental to us too.

“In our belief, any picture of the alcoholic which leaves out this physical factor is incomplete.” (The Doctors Opinion)

Like many people – including many people to attend our fellowship meetings when they think of “allergy” they think of histamines, antihistamines and visible manifestations (Like swelling, hives, coughing, ect) which develop when the body’s immune system becomes misdirected and attacks harmless food proteins and other substances in the body. But this is an incomplete definition of an allergy. As a result, many people dismiss other potentially lethal substances as harmless when in fact they actually are deadly. SUCH AS ALCOHOL. Some folks are quick to rule out alcoholic allergy yet so readily accept allergies to things like latex, wheat, and even invisible mold spores in HVAC systems. Why is that?

The most popular “definition” the one to which most of us have limited our knowledge is NOT what we are talking about when we talk about alcoholic allergy. If can expand our knowledge base to include the WHOLE definition of “allergy” and not keep it only to you own limited experience – you too can understand why all alcoholics are allergic to alcohol.

First let’s look at one definition, the one everyone like since it’s likely to be the only one to which they have been exposed: (from Merriam-Webster )

1 : altered bodily reactivity (as hypersensitivity) to an antigen in response to a first exposure

Ahh but “Allergy” is not limited to this single description. Now try this definition – just as valid – on for size:

2 : exaggerated or pathological immunological reaction (as by sneezing, difficult breathing, itching, or skin rashes) to substances, situations, or physical states that are without comparable effect on the average individual.

THIS is the definition which applies to alcoholism – not the first – but ignorance the second definition is no excuse for passing around false information.

When an alcohol allergic person has so much as one drop of alcohol, they experience an exaggerated or pathological reaction to the alcohol that are without comparable effect on the average individual. It is estimated that only ten to fifteen percent of the world’s population are afflicted – which perhaps is why you have never been exposed to the whole definition of “allergy” – it just doesn’t apply to you or most people.

But just because of that – please don’t rule out how we real alcoholics react to ETOH. The exaggerated or pathological reaction manifests itself as a phenomenon of craving. Craving is not a reaction which the average individual experiences when they ingest alcohol.

This happens ONLY to alcohol allergic people.

Are you beginning to get the picture? Can you see how what we don’t know – and claim to know – can harm others?

Here’s an article that may be of interest to you if you care to learn more. If not just click away to other regions of the Internet.

Do Drugs Make Your Ass Big?

Peace,

Danny S

What We Don’t Know Can Kill Us

I heard a guy online recently telling people that “ALLERGY” is NOT part of alcoholism. I can understand not “BUYING” the allergy angle sometimes because so few of us have it explained to us – and unless we study the Big Book – we may NEVER understand it. But unless we do – we are fucked! Pardon the expletive. I am no saint!

Allergy is a perfectly proper and well accepted word to those of us who understand the malady –because unless a real alcoholic can come to grips with the fact that he has an allergy to alcohol – his recovery will elude him. And unless we who have recovered understand it enough to explain it to a newcomer, then we can effectively work with others – and THAT is detrimental to us too.

“In our belief, any picture of the alcoholic which leaves out this physical factor is incomplete.” (The Doctors Opinion)

Like many people – including many people to attend our fellowship meetings when they think of “allergy” they think of histamines, antihistamines and visible manifestations (Like swelling, hives, coughing, ect) which develop when the body’s immune system becomes misdirected and attacks harmless food proteins and other substances in the body. But this is an incomplete definition of an allergy. As a result, many people dismiss other potentially lethal substances as harmless when in fact they actually are deadly. SUCH AS ALCOHOL. Some folks are quick to rule out alcoholic allergy yet so readily accept allergies to things like latex, wheat, and even invisible mold spores in HVAC systems. Why is that?

The most popular “definition” the one to which most of us have limited our knowledge is NOT what we are talking about when we talk about alcoholic allergy. If can expand our knowledge base to include the WHOLE definition of “allergy” and not keep it only to you own limited experience – you too can understand why all alcoholics are allergic to alcohol.

First let’s look at one definition, the one everyone like since it’s likely to be the only one to which they have been exposed: (from Merriam-Webster )

1 : altered bodily reactivity (as hypersensitivity) to an antigen in response to a first exposure

Ahh but “Allergy” is not limited to this single description. Now try this definition – just as valid – on for size:

2 : exaggerated or pathological immunological reaction (as by sneezing, difficult breathing, itching, or skin rashes) to substances, situations, or physical states that are without comparable effect on the average individual.

THIS is the definition which applies to alcoholism – not the first – but ignorance the second definition is no excuse for passing around false information.

When an alcohol allergic person has so much as one drop of alcohol, they experience an exaggerated or pathological reaction to the alcohol that are without comparable effect on the average individual. It is estimated that only ten to fifteen percent of the world’s population are afflicted – which perhaps is why you have never been exposed to the whole definition of “allergy” – it just doesn’t apply to you or most people.

But just because of that – please don’t rule out how we real alcoholics react to ETOH. The exaggerated or pathological reaction manifests itself as a phenomenon of craving. Craving is not a reaction which the average individual experiences when they ingest alcohol.

This happens ONLY to alcohol allergic people.

Are you beginning to get the picture? Can you see how what we don’t know – and claim to know – can harm others?

Here’s an article that may be of interest to you if you care to learn more. If not just click away to other regions of the Internet.

Do Drugs Make Your Ass Big?

Peace,

Danny S

Just Pull the Trigger

Just the other day I heard of a guy who was apprehensive about taking the coffee & donut job in his Home Group because the confectioners sugar on the doughnuts reminded him of cocaine and he feared those donuts would “Trigger” him. I am not kidding!!

If this seem reasonable to you – PLEASE learn about alcoholism and “Our description of the alcoholic” and the promises of the tenth step.

In the meantime:

The first thing I would wonder is, “Hey Zeke, why are you buying doughnuts for an AA group if you are a cocaine addict? Should’nt you be doing service in a CA meeting? It’s a wonderful Fellowship!”

BUT of course he may ALSO be an alcoholic and therefore fully qualified as a member of AA. But it would be a fair question.

But in speaking of “Triggers” – which I always THOUGHT was just the name of a dead horse – simply cross out the word “Triggers” and replace it with “Excuses” and I think we may be getting closer to the truth of what happens to folks.

Takes the bullshit “mystery” wind right out the treatment center sails – doesn’t it?

That’s where “Triggers” come from – treatment centers. Not AA. Nowhere in The Big Book!

If there is something – anything – in my environment that I could change or do that will keep me away from a drink – that means I HAVE POWER over it, does it not?

We learn and realize (If it applies to us) that alcoholism “Centers in the mind”! (23:2) We will NEVER be led to believe, by the co-authors of this Book, that alcoholism centers in the donuts, or the disco, or the wedding reception or the smell of sawdust or slip under the skirt. If will not even be remotely implied.

We will be told that an un-recovered alcoholic STILL has an “alcoholic mind” – a very specific term they use to refer to one thing: Obsession. Or “Insanity” if you prefer. Agree of disagree – like it or not – that’s the way they describe it. And boy are they consistent with it.

After we recover there are no “Triggers” to set us off like an over wound spring just waiting to be tripped. There are ALWAYS plenty of EXCUSES available – real or imagined – recovered or not – but since we are sane when we recover, we never act on them anymore – even if we could, we don’t. It’s a miracle.

Losing ones job is a GREAT reason to drink – for a non-alcoholic. Because he can survive after he’s done. For an alkie, it’s an excuse – and threadbare at that considering the results that always ensure he will be CRAVING more. He may not survive – and is insane – so he drinks anyway.

Peace,

Danny S

Was Doctor Bob Lying?

This is a rerun of a previous article dating back May 3, 2006.
Poor Doctor Bob must do a double spin in his coffin every time someone in meeting justifies not recovering because they think Bob “white knuckled” his sobriety for two and a half years – AFTER he had completed the steps and began carrying this message.

I know how confused non-alkies get over words like “Crave” – “Obsess” – “Desire”, even “Insanity”. Man, it’s a good thing their lives don’t depend upon understanding how we use those words.

I am constantly amazed how many people in the Fellowship don’t know that alcoholics can’t physically crave alcohol until they have already taken the first drink – never before.

Of course, Bob would have HAD to drink alcohol in order to crave alcohol– by “Our description of the alcoholic which clarifies our understanding of the word “Crave“.

Historical facts tell us that Bob’s last drink was on June 10, 1935 – in the hospital parking lot with Bill W - the same day he completed his amends. It would be IMPOSSIBLE for Bob to crave alcohol AFTER THAT DAY!

Alcoholics don’t PHYSICALLY CRAVE ALCOHOL IF THEY DON’T DRINK ALCOHOL! Bob didn’t drink alcohol after his last drink.

Get it? Good!

Now stop the word play, and Big Book cherry picking, STOP telling newcomers that it’s OK to NOT have the obsession removed via a spiritual awakening – will ya. It’s NOT ok!

Peace,

Danny S

How To Give Hope

This fellow, a chronic relapser and Alcoholic number three (Bill & Bobs first prospect.) was hit with the procedure we know works well – even today. He doesn’t know it yet, but he will never have another drink as long as lives and had experienced his last relapse.

Two days later, a future fellow of Alcoholics Anonymous stared glassily at the strangers beside his bed. “Who are you fellows, and why this private room? I was always in a ward before.”

Bill Dodson is the fellow. He is in St Thomas Hospital in Akron- the year 1939 Sr Ignatia had to label his condition as acute gastritis; but we know what his real problem was. (She did this a lot) He had been hastily put up into what was known as “The Flower Room” which was usually reserved for dead patients awaiting pickup by the city coroners office. Not exactly hope inspiring for our friend. “why this private room?”

But Bill & Bob wanted to get him alone.

“Call on him while he is still jittery. He may be more receptive when depressed. See your man alone, if possible.” (91:3)

If you have ever had to Twelve Step someone with other folks present, then you know how distracting that situation can be – especially when spectators (Like family or friends or even other MOTR AAs) have so much useless information on what they THINK should be done. (“He needs to be in “soberhouse“. “He needs a good couselor.” “He needs to be in a rehab.”) Talk about God does NOT often elicit a positive response right away and when we twelve step THAT is what we are there to do – to talk about God.

Said one of the visitors, “We’re giving you a treatment for alcoholism.”

Of course there is no “treatment” for alcoholism, not a human treatment anyway. They were there to convince our man to let God “treat” him.

“Hopelessness was written large on the man’s face as he replied, “Oh, but that’s no use. Nothing would fix me. I’m a goner. The last three times, I got drunk on the way home from here. I’m afraid to go out the door. I can’t understand it.”

If he WANTED to drink he could probably “understand” it – but Bill D. wanted to “NOT DRINK” – yet picked up immediately after being “treated” by human hands in a detox setting.

This is typical today as well – more historical evidence that flies in the face of “Just don’t drink”. Real alcoholics can’t do it. If they could do that, they wouldn’t be really alcoholic because it would mean that they already HAVE POWER over alcohol – their own power. Will power.

“ For an hour, the two friends told him about their drinking experiences. Over and over, he would say: “That’s me. That’s me. I drink like that.”

Do you think they talked about their silly and horrific episodes, their drunkologues? Maybe – just a little. But whenever we hear a Twelve Stepper’s account of this part of the process in the Big Book it is always characterized as “We told him what we knew about alcoholism.” When we do that, woven into our tales, we have identification with a real alkie. The horrific consequences of over-drinking on a spree too often does not jive with the experiences of another alcoholic.

Not all alcoholics have lost their families, their jobs, their drivers licenses – but ALL alcoholics drink even when they don’t want to and experience craving once they start. THOSE are the common experiences that we convey in “What we know about alcoholism”. We embed these into our stories – we are STORYTELLERS but without a purpose, our stories are nothing but entertaining at best and dry air at worst.

Leave those two elements out, and we might be good story tellers, we might even get a few folks to cry out loud just listening – or laugh and say, “Nice fellow/gal”, but we make LOUSY twelve steppers and are useless in the Fellowship.

“The man in the bed was told of the acute poisoning from which he suffered, how it deteriorates the body of an alcoholic and warps his mind. There was much talk about the mental state preceding the first drink.”

Deterioration of the body, poisoning and mind warp (Can you say “CRAVING & PHYSICAL ALLERGY?) And the mental state preceding the first drink. (Insane obsession.)

THIS IS WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT ALCOHOLISM!

An alcoholic may get a giggle from my story – about the time I puked into my briefcase on the No. 1&9 subway on my way home from work – but he really doesn’t give a crumb about it because he never did THAT! But a sory that depicts obsession and craving? THAT he’ll recognize! IF HE IS A REAL ALCOHOLIC! (In a meeting and if he’s not, he’ll be dissapponted that you’ve failed to entertain him)

“Yes, that’s me,” said the sick man, “the very image. You fellows know your stuff all right, but I don’t see what good it’ll do. You fellows are somebody. I was once, but I’m a nobody now. From what you tell me, I know more than ever I can’t stop.”

WOW! Imagine admitting powerlessness in a simple conversation? No writing! No classes! No pledge of allegiance to a sponsor or a fellowship or even God. No committment to do a “90 in 90″. Just one alcoholic talking to another. THAT’S how it was done!

“At this both the visitors burst into a laugh. Said the future Fellow Anonymous: “Damn little to laugh about that I can see.”

The knew they had succeeded. When a man admits powerlessness over alcohol – hopelessness – as Bill D just did, it IS cause to smile! What a joy! Progress at last! We know that alcoholism only SEEMS hopeless and we can now tell our prospect the good news:

The two friends spoke of their spiritual experience and told him about the course of action they carried out. (157:1)

They told him about the STEPS (Or in this case the Oxford stuff which later became the steps) AND they told him what the result of those steps was A SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE!

Peace,

Danny S