Tuesday, January 13, 2009

RESPONSIBILITY

We are all responsible for our own actions.

We are also responsible to each other.

It has occurred to me that "slips", or "a return to the chemical to which we are addicted can be hastened, or helped along by seeing another ex patient "slip". This can be likened to the "falling dominoes" theory which President Nixon is so afraid will happen in Asia. \

Like it or not, we alcoholics are a closely-knit group. Whether we, as our prerogative allows, stick together in groups such as the "Continuing Therapy Programme at Donwood", or "A.A.", or after leaving Donwood we melt back into society avoiding or trying to forget our affliction.

We are very aware of our fellow alcoholics and how they fare with their problem. Considering this to be true then, we could surmise that when a slip occurs, other people are affected and their resolve to stay "dry" or abstain from their chemical is softened.

Poor old "Sam" had a slip - Gee, if he couldn't make it, what chance have I?

What a wonderful opportunity to rationalize our way back to a drink. Let's face it - we watch each other like a hawk, either for strengths or weaknesses.

An old friend of mine, wh0 lives out of town recently had a slip after eleven months of sobriety. It was hard for him to maintain his sobriety, like it is for all of us. He managed to do it through close contact with A..A. As time progressed , he became healthier, his finances improved and life generally became very good. In his new found happiness, he tried to impart some of his good fortune to help other alchoholics, perhaps too zealously.

When he did finally have a slip, a friend of his with whom he was working to help maintain some measure of sobriety, enthusiastically and with great exultation told everyone he knew that his friend "the King" had fallen off the wagon, and if the "king" couldn't make it who the Hell could?

He then also proceeded to get very drunk.

My point is that, when my friend gave up and drank, he influenced the thinking of at least one other person, and God knows how many others. We are closely tuned in with our fellow man and everything we do has influence on his thinking or actions. If he is a fellow addict he is closely watching us and if we are doing well it may provide some strength for him to carry on. If not, perhaps he will be adversely affected. Remember, if you slip, you are not only greatly harming yourself but are affecting someone else, to whom you are responsible.

DON FELSTEAD

DON says: I wrote this in October of 1971. I am a firm believer that we are tuned into each other human being we interact with, and part of our responsibility on this earth is to help our fellow man in any way we can, including the fellow alcoholic.

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