“A woman is what she thinks about all day long.” Ralph Waldo Emerson May 25, 1803 – April 27, 1882
Such simple wisdom. Not so easy to follow when the most recommended support for anyone concerned with their drinking is a one size fits all approach. And that approach requires you to think about alcohol on a regular basis. Constantly reminding yourself you have an incurable disease waiting to pounce and annihilate you with the smallest sample of booze.
Which by the way is very true for some. But not for all. As a matter of fact, emerging studies show there is a huge gray area of drinkers that fall in between Non-Alcoholic and Alcoholic, that have no where else to go or are routinely directed to the AA rooms for help. Perhaps that is why AA has a reportedly low 5% success rate. They’re serving the wide continuum rather than the alcoholics, as was intended.
What you resist persists. – Carl Jung
Following is my personal experience. I got sober for the first and only time over 11 years ago. I did outpatient for 89 days and was a devout AA member for about 8 months. I did over 90 meetings in 90 days, held a couple service positions, chaired meetings, and had a sponsor. I wanted different so bad I wasn’t chancing anything. I was all in.
Through my entire AA membership I was often referred to as being on a pink cloud. And warned that it was a temporary state and I would eventually slam to the surface of reality. You see I was filing for bankruptcy, sold nearly every possession I had to make right some business contracts and to properly dissolve my businesses, surrendered my vehicles, my then business partner and boyfriend emptied the bank account and left town, and I weighed in at a very unhealthy 217lbs., Yet, I had tremendous hope and optimism. I felt an immense sense of gratitude for simply being alive.
“It’s easier for a human being to think negatively than positively. That’s why only five percent are successful. You must begin now to place yourself in that group.” Earl Nightingale December 3, 1921 – March 25, 1989
Around the 8 month mark I wanted to concentrate more on living my life and less on what had already contributed so much pain and angst, alcohol. I had to make a decision. Do I want to focus on where I want to go or where I’ve been? I chose moving forward and rode out of the rooms of AA on my pink cloud. That was over a decade ago.
I haven’t identified myself as an alcoholic in years. I don’t truly know if I am or not. There is no test to diagnose. Quite frankly, it’s irrelevant, because alcohol simply doesn’t fit in my lifestyle.
What I do know…I have been sober and developed some solid methods to keep me moving forward and staying connected to my pink cloud for over 11 years.
I am what I think about. I am in the 5%. And I owe it to my pink cloud.
– Teresa Rodden, Certified Life Coach
Concerned with the way you’re drinking? Feeling over occupied by thinking about drinking?
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– Teresa Rodden, Certified Life Coach
