Addictions Chapter Summary

Courtney Grove
Addictions/Assessments/Interventions
Spring 2017

All of the personal stories in this book are an attempt to help individuals identify with the authors. Hopefully, after reading each story we, and alcoholics alike may say to themselves "I'm very much like _____. My alcohol use has followed a similar pattern and I have also tried different ways to control my drinking with similar, pained results. Perhaps the steps that _______ followed will work for me also.” This keeps the sneaky pull of alcohol at the forefront of their minds, learning from the experiences of others and remembering their own experiences from the reality standpoint rather than with fond remembrance.

Chapter 1

Bill shows the unmanageability of the lives of

Individual’s own attempts at making ourselves feel important fail; because our worth as humans comes from God, not our possessions or position. Believing that we have no worth other than our abilities, possessions, or position, makes us feel that we must prove to others how important we are. Our judging of the worth of others by these criteria is equally shallow, misguided, hurtful and harmful. As a Believer I’m so appreciative that there is a program leading millions of people to search for a relationship with God or a Higher Power. As a therapist trained and encouraged to separate my personal beliefs from my therapeutic practices, I still find myself feeling discomfort and resistance within myself reading Bill’s

The short term laying off from drinking that they hope will serve as a solution is shown to be wishful thinking. One by one their objections are addressed by the example of the authors' own experience. They are allowed to make their own diagnosis of their condition.The authors describe the fact that the admission to oneself that they are an alcoholic is the first step in their recovery will be one of their greatest obstacles. Some of their attempts at controlling their drinking are outlined, “Here are some of the methods we have tried: drinking beer only, limiting the number of drinks, never drinking alone, never drinking in the morning, drinking only at home, never having it in the house, never drinking during business hours, drinking only at parties, switching from scotch to brandy, drinking only natural wines, agreeing to resign if ever drunk on the job, taking a trip, not taking a trip, swearing off forever (with or without a solemn oath), taking more physical exercise, reading inspirational books, going to health farms and sanitariums, accepting voluntary commitment to asylums---we could increase the list ad