The Pastor’s Column
November 14, 2010
Alcoholics Anonymous – Is it For You?
Some of the happiest and most peaceful people in the world are those who participate in Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.). They have recognized and dealt with a very serious problem in their lives that was ruining their family, their personal relationships, their career, their soul … They are now relying on that wonderful higher power, Jesus Christ. They are aware of his unconditional love for them.
Often problems with anger, sexuality, health, personal relationships and faith are closely connected with a serious addiction to alcohol or other substance. Not too long ago while I was visiting a police headquarters where I serve as chaplain, the detectives pointed out that lack of sobriety is most often the cause of the crimes, domestic quarrels and crisis that they are called to solve.
Is A.A. for you? You might find the answer in a little pamphlet, Is A.A. for You? 12 Questions that Only You can Answer.” It can be read at www.aa.org, Here is a quote:
Only you can decide whether you want to give A.A. a try — whether you think it can help you.
We who are in A.A. came because we finally gave up trying to control our drinking. We still hated to admit that we could never drink safely. Then we heard from other A.A. members that we were sick. (We thought so for years!) We found out that many people suffered from the same feelings of guilt and loneliness and hopelessness that we did. We found out that we had these feelings because we had the disease of alcoholism.
We decided to try to face up to what alcohol had done to us. Here are some of the questions we tried to answer honestly. If we answered YES to four or more questions, we were in deep trouble with our drinking. See how you do. Remember, there is no disgrace in facing up to the fact that you have a problem.
And, here are the first questions:
1. Have you ever decided to stop drinking for a week or so, but only lasted for a couple of days?
2. Do you wish people would mind their own business about your drinking — stop telling you what to do?
3. Have you ever switched from one kind of drink to another in the hope that this would keep you from getting drunk?
4. Have you had to have an eye-opener upon awakening during the past year?
5. Do you envy people who can drink without getting into trouble?
6. Have you had problems connected with drinking during the past year?
7. Has your drinking caused trouble at home?
8. Do you ever try to get "extra" drinks at a party because you do not get enough?
9. Do you tell yourself you can stop drinking any time you want to, even though you keep getting drunk when you don’t mean to?
10. Have you missed days of work or school because of drinking?
11. Do you have “blackouts”?
12. Have you ever felt that your life would be better if you did not drink?
Did you answer YES four or more times? If so, you are probably in trouble with alcohol.
An A.A. meeting is held at St. John Church every Friday evening beginning around 5 PM. Also, you can attend an A.A. meeting in another town. Google A.A. and find a list of meetings. The Lord will help you. If I can be of help, please feel free to contact me. Also, check out AA.org.
Many blessings,
Msgr. Frank McGrath