Thoughts by Peter Marinelli
Dr. Silkworth wrote how alcoholics needed some sort of moral psychology or psychic change, which we now call the spiritual awakening. The addicted individual who struggles with everything around them and fins a need to escape or to cope with everyday life suddenly finds themselves experiencing “the great fact”
They will (as a result of a spiritual awakening) revolutionary change in attitude towards life, their fellows and Gods universe. Once having this spiritual awakening and coming to the realization that a God of their understanding is the most important fact of their life, they begin to live along the lines of a whole new set of conceptions and ideas – all spiritual in nature.
Interesting how this was written many years ago in the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book.
I remember for years hearing from those in recovery and those who went that it was a matter of choice, or the addiction sufferer was just weak and cowardly and didn’t want to “grow up”.
We can now understand to some degree the power of addiction. The same way one has no choice in the color of their eyes or hair they have no choice being born the “addictive gene” and once in the grip of addiction choice to start and stop is also removes. The only solution that has worked and continues to rescue addictions sufferers is God.
The following is an article from The American Society of Addiction Medicine
Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an individual pathologically perusing reward and or relief by substance use and other behaviors.
Addiction is characterized by inability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioral control, craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response. Like other chronic diseases, addiction often involves cycles of relapse and remission. Without treatment or engagement in recovery activites, addiction is progressive and can result in disability or premature death.
Addiction is more than a behavioral disorder. Features of addiction include aspects of a person’s behaviors, cognitions, emotions, and interactions with others, including a person’s ability to relate=e to members of their family, to members of their community, to their own psychological state, and to things that transcend their daily experience.
Blessings,
Chop wood, carry water
