August 28

“I'd rather go through life believing I’m an alcoholic than go through life drinking, trying to convince myself that I'm not.” - Unknown

A disease of perception. Our entire outlook on life is distorted by alcohol and drugs. There is no other way to describe our condition. It changes our brain’s chemistry, distorts our behavior, and can affect the physical brain in the long term. With all the harm and turmoil that having the disease of addiction and alcohol can cause, the disease’s best manipulation is to convince us that we don’t have it. Mountains of evidence of multiple D.U.I.s, daily drinking/drugging, pawn shop visits, using against our own will, jail time, and the like. These things were always someone else’s fault! We were just unlucky, terrible drivers who “accidentally” got drunk, stole a T.V., and pawned it right before getting pulled over. “It was the red light’s fault, officer!” You could almost hear the excuses now.

Reflections

Are you now convinced that you have a disease of addiction/alcoholism?

Daily Challenge

If you have doubts about your “disease,” look back at your behavior and actions in the cold light of sobriety. You’ll see.