18 Days of Sober Takeaways: Day 13
The Decision to Let Go
There came a point when I had run out of ways to make drinking work for me. I’d tried to control it, manage it, and convince myself that I could handle it differently.
But none of these strategies had worked for very long.
Then Step One of the 12-step recovery program suggested by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) called on me to admit something I’d been fighting for a long time.
I could not solve my drinking problem with the same thinking that had created it.
That was difficult for me because I was used to solving problems.
If something wasn't working, I looked for a better strategy. I gathered information, made a plan and tried again.
The idea that I might have to stop trying to manage the problem and accept that I couldn't control it felt like failure.
Step Two of the AA program, however, asked for something different.
I didn't have to understand everything about recovery or know what my life would look like without alcohol.
I only had to become willing to believe that my way wasn't the only way.
That was a much bigger decision than I initially realized.
For the first time, I wasn't trying to figure out how to drink successfully.
I was considering what might happen if I stopped trying to control the outcome -and allowed recovery to take me somewhere I couldn't yet see.
Now it’s starting to add up! Find out more tomorrow – Day 14 in my 18 Days of Sober Takeaways from #NationalSoberDay to #SoberOctober.
If you’d like to start on Day 1, you can find it here: 18 Days of Sober Takeaways: Day 1
To further explore any of the topics raised in my 18 Days of Sober Takeaways, or if you’d like support in stopping drinking, please visit:
Substack: Sally Cardy - Transformative Recovery Solutions