Dale P.

Dale P. – AA Member Since 1986 What it used to be like: Dale’s story isn’t very different from anyone else. It’s the same old story, only the names, places and circumstances are different. You know, a young boy grows up feeling used, abused, abandoned and unloved. He finds alcohol, his new best friend. Their relationship is a double edged sword, however, he sticks it out and realizes it isn’t so bad. Despite the occasional blackouts and bouts with the porcelain pedestal, it makes him feel a part of the crowd, six feet tall and bulletproof. His friend alcohol helps him forget his feelings and lose any fear of being hurt or getting into trouble. As he grows older their relationship grows as well. He is able to drink more and be less affected, so he ups the anti and moves on to bigger and better things, like vodka, whiskey and bourbon. His other friends, also known as drugs, food and gambling are just sidekicks that help him divulge more and more alcohol. What happened: With more alcohol use comes more and more blackouts. Not being in control of himself when he blackouts, he finds himself in more and more trouble. His family tells him to go to AA, but he’s just not ready to give up his best friend yet. Then the inevitable happens, he loses his freedom, job and family. He reaches that “jumping off” place, where it seems he has no other choice but to give up drinking for good. He attends AA meetings, get’s a sponsor and gets involved with a home group. He gets his freedom, job and family back and stays clean and sober for a number of years. He falls in love, gets married and stops going to meetings. He begins to drink again, but this time he has it under control. His marriage begins to unravel and once again he finds himself in the grips of an even bigger drinking and drug use problem. The cycle continues. Once again he reaches that “jumping off” place and gets the help he needs. Goes into a treatment program and manages to stay clean and sober for a number of years. What it’s like now: Not much has changed for our Alcoholic/Drug Addict except maybe a renewed since of twelve step work and a more solid foundation for sobriety. His days are not perfect, but he manages to get through his problems with his higher-powers help, he finds serenity. He has learned to live with less, not because he is some kind of stoic or saint, but because he has less. When he works with other Alcoholic/Addicts, he is less irritated with the disease and more interested in helping others. He has a better understanding of the steps and looks for ways to practice them in all of his affairs. He prays only for God’s will and the power to carry that out. Insane thoughts are still a part of his life, but the still quite voice seems to quiet their screams. If you would like to hear more of his story, then you should read his autobiography; “A Guiding Light: Navigating Abuse Alcoholism and Addiction”. Thank you for your interest.