by Jack Kelly, CAP, NLP, LHMP.
A conundrum (co-nun-drum) is a riddle which requires ingenuity in answering and discovering its meaning. So, here’s a conundrum about addiction and recovery. After the original members of A.A. admitted that they were powerless over alcohol, they set the following goal:
“We were willing to go to any lengths to achieve victory over alcohol.”
How could they achieve victory over something they were powerless over?
To find the answer to this riddle we must first make a distinction between one, the substance, and two, our addiction to the substance. Regarding one, the substance, if we don’t put the substance, alcohol or drugs, inside our bodies, we don’t become powerless.
Here’s the wisdom of the “message” passed on to us by the original members of A.A:
“We know that while the alcoholic keeps away from drink as he may do for months or years, he reacts much like other men. We are equally positive that once he takes any alcohol whatever into his system – something happens, both in the bodily and mental sense, which makes it virtually impossible for him to stop. The experience of any alcoholic will abundantly confirm this.” (A.A. Page 22)
What’s the point? The whole concept of powerlessness relates to our body; not our will-power, mind or emotions. They are distinct and separate issues. They come under the heading of lack of power. If we don’t put these addictive substances inside our bodies, we don’t’ become powerless. The one thing we will never recover as alcoholics and drug addicts is – the ability to safely put alcohol, or any other mind altering drug, inside our body. Why? Because something happens, mentally and physically which makes it impossible for us to stop.” What is the “something” that happens? The cravings kick in; then, our brain gets high-jacked. We lose all access to rational thought, the love we have for our spouses, partners, children, and families, as well as our spiritual beliefs and moral values.”
Then, what is it that the original members of A.A. achieved victory over? They achieved victory over their addiction to the substances that created so much pain and suffering in their lives. They achieved victory over the obsessive thoughts, compulsive feelings, and physical cravings that kept them reaching out for a pill, drink, or illegal drug. “The problem has been removed. It does not exist for us.” Now here’s the catch. They tell us that it will only stay removed “so long as – we stay in fit spiritual condition.” (A.A. Page 85)
Narcotics Anonymous and many of the treatment centers in the U.S. that provide treatment for millions of alcoholics and drug addicts have a very significant problem. They are built on a faulty foundation. They fail to separate one from two; the substance, and our addiction to the substance. Step 1 of Narcotics Anonymous states: “We admitted we were powerless over our addiction.”
Jack Kelly, CAP, NLP, LHMP
Here’s another conundrum. If we are “powerless” over our addiction, why should we bother seeking help or treatment? If the solution found by the original members of A.A. was offered to newcomers, perhaps they could find what the original members of A.A. found: “We found the Great Reality(God/Higher Power) deep down within us.” (A.A. Page 55)
The faulty foundation goes beyond separating one, the substance, from two, our addiction to the substance. Instead of being advised to go “deep down within,” today, many newcomers in N.A. and A.A. are often told to look outside themselves for a solution to their problem; that they can find the Great Reality(God/Higher Power) in chairs, empty shoe boxes, doorknobs, or rolls of toilet paper. And we wonder why the relapse rate is so high!
Click On – Give Jack Kelly Feedback
* The Views Expressed By The Above Writer Is That Of The Writer and Is Not That Of RIR. If You Have Feedback Contact The Writer Please Contact Him/Her Directly.
*This Website is based on opinion and is not meant to treat or diagnose any health or mental health issues of any kind such as addiction . If you feel you need help for any health related issues please contact a physician or a mental health professional.
Addiction Detox and Treatment
Rockers In Recovery Addiction Recovery Network: We can Help Call 877-241-8383
If you or someone you know needs help Contact The Rockers In Recovery Addiction Recovery Network:
The network can help with treatment for an addiction to Alcohol, Cocaine, Heroin,Methadone,OxyContin, Suboxone, Valium,and Xanax just to name a few.
Rockers In Recovery music network and drug addiction treatment centers, detox centers, expert addiction specialists, seasoned physicians, caring music therapists and more, is dedicated to providing the absolute best, proven methods of using music for treatment and rehabilitation. Our in network facilities, located across the country, offer unmatched programs and services that honor mind, body and soul. The Rockers In Recovery Addiction Recovery Network have Detox Centers and Rehabs that work with HMO’s,Commercial Insurances, MEDICARE, or self pay. Contact Rockers In Recovery 877-241-8383.