What is Our Common Solution?

The feeling of having shared in a common peril is one element in the powerful cement which binds us. But that in itself would never have held us together as we are now joined.

The tremendous fact for every one of us is that we have discovered a common solution. We have a way out on which we can absolutely agree, and upon which we can join in brotherly and harmonious action. This is the great news this book carries to those who suffer from alcoholism.”

~ Alcoholics Anonymous, “The Big Book”, page 17

Our common solution, refers to us as alcoholics and addicts, whether we used alcohol, heroin, cocaine, meth, pot or pills, etc. I believe in identification in order to connect the common problem. However, even though our illness may present itself differently mentally and/or physically, we all suffer from the same spiritual malady.

According to the Big Book, “when the spiritual malady is overcome, we straighten out mentally and physically.” That is, in fact, “our common solution.” As important and perhaps vital as it is to completely identify and relate personal experiences to same substances -- as stated on page 18 in the Big Book: “That the man who is making the approach has had the same difficulty, that he obviously knows what he is talking about…” -- my own personal experience and belief is that the solution, our common solution, truly is the same.

We treat the spiritual malady and get connected to a Power greater than ourselves and the mental obsession gets removed. Consequently, if we don’t put the chemical in, no matter what its shape or form, we do not have the physical allergic reaction.

Once we have reached a level of identification and conceded to our innermost selves that we have lost power, choice and control over a particular substance(s), and that we will always go back to it if our spiritual malady is not treated, then our recovery process becomes a journey beyond self. From selfishness, self-centeredness, and living in spiritual sickness, we become useful to God and our fellows, safe and protected, living in the world of the Spirit. As long as we continue to grow in understanding and effectiveness and pass on our experience to others, we find that we are all on the same journey – the spiritual life.

That is our common solution.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

To Understand the Solution, I Must Understand the Problem

A somewhat lengthy read, but worth it..... especially if you happen to be an addict or alcoholic of "The hopeless variety"...

There are some simple "Truths" in life. One of them is;

"A misunderstanding of the problem always leads to a misunderstanding of the solution".
 
For instance,
If we were all in a boat and the boat was taking on water, if we identified the problem as being "too much weight ", a perfectly logical assumption, right? Then what would be our solution ?
I would say getting rid of some of the weight.  Too much weight - Remove weight.
But what would happen if we threw a few folks overboard only to find out we identified the WRONG problem. What if we then discovered a small hole in the bottom of the boat ?
Couldn't we then treat the correct problem with the correct solution ?
With that being said, I want to share my "current" understanding of the problem of addiction /alcoholism.
For the purpose of this article,and site, I will use  the terms "alcoholism" and "addiction" interchangeably. As I have stated before,while they may each manifest differently "physically" and/or "mentally" and require individual identification, I believe the spiritual malady (untreated state,unmanageability) is the same, therefore the SOLUTION is the same. I will further explain the common problem as the "ROOT PROBLEM" of both.

When I was around 17-18 years old and beginning to get heavily involved with drinking, as well as later with drugs, people would say to me "You drink too much !" or "You do too many drugs, you are greedy !"
With THAT being the identification of my problem, I would believe the solution would be to "Drink less" or "Use less". I would fail at that experiment because "Drinking/using too much" is not my problem. Therefore drinking/using less is not the correct solution.
   In the Doctor's Opinion, Silkworth believed we have an allergy to alcohol/drugs.
 (Here is where the addict & alcoholic may differ in specific physical reaction to substance. Some react sanely & normal to drugs,but have an allergic reaction to alcohol. I have known others that claim they do not have craving with alcohol, but cannot use drugs(in solid form) without experiencing phenomenon of craving .Yet there are those of us that experience craving with both. It is each of our own responsibilities to discover through a first step experience, with the help of someone who has done this, what our own truth is. We must get a clear understanding of our own condition and remember that what is a safe use of prescribed medication for one may mean disaster for others

 An allergy is a physical reaction to a common substance. If I am allergic to something like tomatoes or fish, then every time I eat tomatoes or fish, I have a physical reaction and break out. There is no way to control my bodily reaction with my mind. It is a physical reaction that only happens to those "allergic types'. The same thing happens when I drink or use. The reason drinking/using less won't work is that my body has a physical reaction to a substance that my mind cannot control.

What is the real problem ? Lack of Power is my real problem.(page 45, Alcoholics Anonymous).
I lack the Power to stop once I start because of the physical allergy. The only relief is entire abstinence. I lack Power of CONTROL.

This brings up the real issue of powerlessness - the mental obsession. Page 23 of  the "Big Book" states that the main problem centers in the mind. I made it out of my first treatment center with a firm resolve to never use/drink again. I was convinced that drugs & alcohol were not good for me. I even had a good idea that once I started, I couldn't stop. I meant to stay stopped. In fact, I was told at some of the meetings by some well-intentioned people "Don't drink!" and "Don't use no matter what !" I was of the belief that drugs & alcohol were my problem. 4 days out of treatment I was using again. I had no idea why.

Identifying my problem as a drug and /or alcohol problem, I did not understand the real problem. Therefore I did not understand the solution. If drinking and using were my problem, then NOT drinking/using would be the correct solution. The "Mental" illness associated with addiction/alcoholism is characterized by :
ILLUSION - seeing something that's not real. I don't see pain, suffering, humiliation. (At certain times) I only see ease and comfort.
DELUSION - belief in a lie (my own lie). "It will be different this time."
OBSESSION- a thought or idea that drives out all other thoughts or ideas.

Page 24 of the "Big Book" states that "at certain times" I am unable to see the truth. I can't recall with sufficient force the pain & suffering of a week or a month ago. I am without defense. I have lost the Power of choice. At certain times, I will not be able to "play the tape through". I will NOT call my sponsor, I will not even realize I am in danger, because of the strange mental blank spot I just described. THAT is the "POWERLESSNESS" associated with the mental illness of addiction/alcoholism.
I won't be able to keep myself clean/sober on my own power.  I lack Power of CHOICE.

The Big Book also states "for we have been not only mentally and physically ill, we have been spiritually sick."
The third part of addiction/alcoholism, the "Spiritual Malady" is best described in the Doctor's Opinion as "restless, irritable and discontent", and on page 52, as "trouble with personal relationships, can't control emotional natures, misery and depression, unhappy,  full of fear", and so on. It is also described from page 60 through 62 as "self-will run riot".
   The fact is, the spiritual malady has me blocked from Power. I can believe in GOD till the cows come home, but I can't get "access" to Power because I am blocked due to Resentments,Self-seeking harms, Selfish attitudes, Fear, Self pity, Self delusion ,ect...
  "When the spiritual malady is overcome, we straighten out mentally and physically."
  The main problem of the Spiritual Malady is the inability to change due to over reliance on self.
  I lack the Power to CHANGE.
  One of the main characteristics of "Spiritual Malady", also known as "EGO", is the reconstruction factor.
Dr. Harry Tebout wrote about "the reconstruction of the ego." The Malady is constantly rebuilding.
"The Big Book" warns of this on page 85 when it says "Don't let up!"  We have recovered from hopelessness, but we are not cured. We must continue to grow spiritually in order to survive.

In summary,
  • Physical LACK OF POWER to control the amount once I start
  • Mental LACK OF POWER to choose whether I can keep myself stopped
  • Spiritual LACK OF POWER to change due to self-blockage (over-reliance on self)
     THE REAL PROBLEM OF ADDICTION / ALCOHOLISM  -  LACK OF POWER
     THE REAL SOLUTION OF ADDICTION / ALCOHOLISM - CONNECTION TO POWER
Posted by at