Happy Fourth of July everyone. I think it fitting on Independence Day to reflect on recovery from the bonds of addiction. Addiction is by definition an enslavement to a disease that binds the individual spiritually, emotionally and physically. Recovery frees the alcoholic or addict not only from slavish use of alcohol or other drugs but also from the “bondage of self.” Here are a few quotes from AA and NA literature about freedom from addiction.
"If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness." (Alcoholics Anonymous, page 83)
"God, I offer myself to thee - to build with me and do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will." (Alcoholics Anonymous 63:2 original manuscript)
"Our message is that an addict, any addict, can stop using drugs, lose the desire to use and find a new way to live. Our message is hope and the promise of freedom." (Narcotics Anonymous, Basic Text, 5th Ed., p 65)
I am fond of this quote attributed to the French writer Jean-Paul Sartre: "Freedom is what you do with what's been done to you.” How freeing it is to discover that no matter what seemingly inexcusable behavior from your drug or alcohol using past that you feel burdened with, there will come a time in your recovery when sharing that behavior with another alcoholic or addict will help that individual and aid in your own healing. Moving from the bondage of self is simple (not to be mistaken for "easy") for the person in recovery: Don't drink or drug, find a source of spiritual strength, and help another alcoholic, addict, or any other suffering human being. As always, comments are invited. Jan Edward Williams, 07/04/2013.
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