July 29

Rose R. Says:

Personally, I choose to use the disease concept when thinking about alcoholism. It's something I've found useful for my own recovery, that's all. I don't feel any urges to prove what I believe in. And I don't think you should have to prove what you believe in either. We share something in common: devastating pain from someone else's addictions.

July 30

Lorin Says:

I said my first name, and said I was an alcoholic. I didn't hear anything the rest of the meeting. As soon as it was over, I bolted. Decided to try to handle it on my own. And for a few months, I did. One day, a friend of mine asked if I wanted a drink, and I said "sure." It took until I was 29 until I was beat down enough not to care what anybody else thought. I just flat out needed help, and wanted help. I went back to AA, and folks took me in and helped me. That was 13 years ago.

July 31

Larry Says:

Spirituality does not require the belief in a God, gods, or a higher power. While most religious practice is spiritual, there is much spirituality that is not religious unless "religious" is defined so broadly as to become almost meaningless. For example, I would consider meditation a spiritual practice, yet it can be done without any religious feelings whatsoever. Washing the dishes can be done "spiritually" if one employs "mindfulness" techniques.