My early days of “working the Program” brought changes to my life, some perhaps mundane—like my eating habits, being on time for dinner or picking up the kids, assisting with chores. You’ll know what I am talking about if you’ve really decided to quit drinking and work your way to that alcohol-free life.  

My appearance changed: I lost 40 or 50 pounds in my first six months in the Program. I could remember the events of the night before or remember to pick up that half-gallon of milk. My evening handwriting improved a bit but, alas, I never did have handwriting that pleased my 4th grade schoolteacher mother. Add some of your own “inebriate-trademarks.”

Thinking back to my alcoholic actions is painful but frankly I don’t want to forget them ‘cause I don’t want to repeat them. Come on, be honest—think of some of your gala flip-flops. But if you can’t recall any, listen to that next “drunk-a-log” lead for that’ll bring back your own days of rage. (I like a drunk-a-log occasionally to remind me of those days, I grimace and recall my own episodes, and recall when the Higher Power reached out His arms for me took me to the Beginners’ Meeting at Oak Street.)

I changed habits with friends—people I’d come to know and socialize with. Take dinner parties: now we ask when dinner is being served and arrive no more than 20 minutes 30 max prior to that time. We leave shortly after dessert. Early on, I’d simply decline an invitation since I was “sick” (which was true, “sick of my alcoholism”). I stopped all “after work” gatherings, club activities, stuff like that, any activities where alcohol was a featured part of the event.

I was focused on dealing with my disease and ridding myself of its harm and these changes enabled me to come to understand and work the Program of Alcoholics Anonymous.

I suppose occasionally I wondered if friends noticed, but soon I realized they were busy with their own lives. But there was a Saturday morning, when, in my front yard a friend, a good friend, a neighbor, Howard, said to me,” I know you don’t drink. I didn’t know you were that bad.” I looked him in the eye, and I said, “Well, Howard, how bad does it have to get before one does something about his drinking?”

Yes, the damage we cause to others and ourselves can be deep and dark, but always remember that through the gift of Christ our Higher Power, the Program gives us a way to make life “happy, joyous and free.”

–Jim A, St. X Noon, Cincinnati, Springboro / Franklin Noon