One Day at a Time

We have spoken on these pages previously about the business of battling alcoholism. It is a battle. We don’t just decide one morning that twenty years of drinking should stop. Short of a compelling reason, that will never take place. Trust me, after twenty seven years in Alcoholics Anonymous as a recoveree and then as a sponsor and active in counseling it is apparent you don’t just quit. You absolutely have to see the need. There is a reason why every person who attends the AA meetings introduces himself saying, “Hi I’m XXXX, and I’m an alcoholic. If one cannot recognize that he has the disease, it’s impossible to treat. I can’t think of any other malady in which recovery starts when the sufferer accurately speaks its name. Oh that we could cure a toothache or cancer simply by stating the name and understanding the truth of it.

Even assigning the name alone doesn’t do the job. It simply provides the logical starting point. We use many devices in AA to help the sufferer. The first and most widely known technique is providing thousands of meetings every day in every city and town across the country. They are tailored for every possible taste. In cities you can find one for smokers, nonsmokers, blacks, Hispanics, women only, stags, gays and lesbians, and just about any other demographic category you can dream up. Your lifestyle will not be restricted for lack of choice. When I first came to the program, I was traveling full time and was still able to make at least one meeting every single day for the first year.

People who are serious about recovery soon come to look forward to the meetings and welcome the association with others who seek to recover. They provide a venue where every one in the room has the same affliction. There you do not associate with paid professional counselors and therapists. Instead, you are with the “been there, done that” crowd who actually can relate to whatever your problems are. They all, from the heart, wish you success and understand what you are going through. One of the saddest moments in any meeting is when a regular is missing and a friend suggests he heard that he had decided to go practice drinking a little more.

In a meeting room, in a church basement, Legion hall, high school, home, bank board room, community center, fire station, park shelter, Hilton banquet room, break room at a grocery store, AA Club, armory, homeless shelter, city hall extra room, detox, or jail – to mention a few sites where I have attended meetings – there are several typical features. There is a printed poster with the Twelve Steps, a coffee pot, endless framed mottos and the Big Book.

All of these are important, but for space economy, I will elaborate here only on a few of the mottos. “Let Go And Let God” is one of my personal favorites. Once one realizes that his attempt to run his life has resulted in the loss of family, job, liberty, finances and self-respect he is encouraged to find the One who can help. It is an absolute necessity for recovery.

“Easy Does It” calls for the recoveree to shun extremes. Reaction to every aspect of life is typical Alcoholic behavior. Actually, over-reaction is more typical. Anger, jealously, rage, control and possessiveness are the traits which rise to top with unfortunate frequency.

“Live and Let Live” removes the alcoholic from the responsibility of running the world. He has learned that God can and will do everything so he can kick back and relax and concentrate on recovery. The second part stresses the importance of others enjoying their freedom as well.

“One Day at A Time” represents one of the very most important concepts of recovery. As a mechanical device (as opposed to spiritual) it renders the entire program to a manageable level. Many newcomers are hauled up short by the idea that they will never ever drink again. This is an absolute necessity for continued recovery. Tapering off is out of the question. To attempt to see one’s entire life affected by a decision made today is alien to the most logical thinker. To be successful, the program has to be reduced to a manageable time interval.

The only time period which concerns the alcoholic is the interval between the end of today’s meeting and the beginning of the next one. Anyone can stay sober for twenty four hours, can’t they? It may not be easy but it’s doable. No one is ever challenged to stay dry in excess of one day. That day is today and tomorrow will be dealt with when it gets here.

Recoverees are recipients of minor rewards for intervals of sobriety. The newcomer gets a “24 hour” chip at his first meeting. He is encouraged to note the time and date of his last drink – if he can remember it. At thirty days he is acknowledged again for his diligence. More chips come forth as the milestones of ninety days, six months, and nine months pass. These are handed out to much applause and congratulations as the 24 hour periods pile up. The mere presence of the chip (about the size of poker chip) in pocket or purse is there as a constant reminder. Then, a golden day arrives and he is presented with a gorgeous brass chip which designates his first complete year. It is his first “birthday” and is accompanied by much fanfare, a cake, back slapping and general recognition of a job well done. Each anniversary thereafter is given equal importance and excitement. I carry one each and every day. Sunday suit or overalls, it is always with me to remind me of the foolishness in which I once indulged. My current chip has this number in raised roman numerals, XXVII. It is “mine Eben-ezer” which I raised at that point where I decided to bring God into my life to run the show.

So why bring this up now? The years are important but not nearly as significant as the twenty-four hour aspect of the program. This week I will reach a milestone for which there is no chip. There is no cake. There will be no applause. But, it means nearly everything to me. I will have been sober for 10,000 consecutive twenty four periods. With the help of God and this program, I will continue to not drink today. I’ll deal with tomorrow when it gets here.

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon