HALT!

06/02/2021 7:50 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
Red Door

No, this is not a new version of a highway stop sign. For the recovering alcoholic, it’s shorthand reminding us of dangerous points in our recovery program.

H –“You’re hungry.” We start thinking of the good foods and drink we enjoyed fairly regularly—a time for us in a sneaky fashion to “sample” various wines and special bourbons. We can snap back to those thrilling days of yesteryear when out of a smokey grill, a flashback takes us to cold beer, delightful company, and a grand time. Ah, those were The Days—but, we now know, they “weren’t”.

A – “You’re angry.” The Big Book says an alcoholic in recovery can’t afford anger. It’s an irrational approach to a perceived hurt, or disappointment, or aggressive action by someone. We need to always “keep our cool”, and not leap at an irrational reaction—a reaction that removes safeguards of patience, “letting go”, “easy does it” and a host of reminders we pick up at meetings.

L - “Lonely.” We learned we had to change our friendships, maybe of longstanding relations. Our acquaintances now were mostly fellow recovering alcoholics. “I miss the old fun days.” If we admitted it, we’d say that we always drank onto that slippery slope with these former friends. Being with them is taking a risk to our sobriety. Let ‘em go their way. Your new way brings you to a new and positive life of serenity.

T - “Tired.” Being tired, stressed out, and so forth is just a way of saying you’re letting your guard down. In some ways it’s a self-indulgent habit. Get to a meeting, work with a newbie—anything, but don’t continue to indulge your own feelings like the old days and use them as an excuse to “take that first drink.”

There, you see? The Program offers a variety of teachings. Go to a meeting today—and maybe tonight make the coffee.

Jim A, St. X Noon