Adopting humility is a must when finding recovery

by John Carcerano
When you first enter into recovery there is a great deal you may not know about what to do so you will need to observe others in recovery and also ask a lot of question. Take a few steps back and just try to chill a bit. Please do not try to be a know it all and also get rid of your ego and do not be afraid to address your problems with others in recovery. 31/2 years before I found recovery I was desperately trying to quit drinking so I went to an AA meeting and brought my ego with me. I felt ashamed to be around all those "losers" so I just kept to myself and afterward announced to all those in the meeting that I could do this on my own. I put on a good front as to sound and look so confident that they would believe me. The problem was I did not believe me. I was in denial and that denial and egotistical attitude cost me another 31/2 years of my life lost to alcoholism. When my life crashed in on me is when I finally went back to a meeting and I spilled my guts. This was not a small meeting either. There were at least 50 people in this meeting and my ego did not care. I just rocked my chair back against the wall while looking straight forward and I just let my pain out. I told of how I drank 1 to 3 half pints a day described my life being in ruin because of it. I was so depressed and desperate at this point that I knew AA meetings were my last hope. Well, no-one made fun of me or even called me a loser for my being so forth right and humble. After I spilled my troubles out I noticed everyone scrambling around. About 20 minutes later several people came up to me and presented me with a list of everyones phone number on it. Clearly I was the most distraught at that meeting and all the members worked to calm me and help me. And help me they did. I attended meetings with several in this group for about 6 months. I did not bring my ego and I asked a lot of questions of them. I always let them know that I desperately needed their help. The first few nights and weeks were the hardest. When I was alone at night I just wanted to get a drink so bad. I was edgy and in trouble. When I got this feeling I would call a new friend of mine from AA and just talk for several hours until I felt tired and could finally go to sleep sober and calmer. There is no mystery as to why AA works. It works because it is an instant network of other compassionate ex-addicts and alcoholics who are there for you to help you and create a bond with you. AA are a group of instant new friends who will be there for you and comfort you after you decide to leave your "friends" who are still using drugs and alcohol. Keep this important fact in mind: If you want to get clean and sober you must leave all of your old friends who are using drugs and alcohol. You must. AA/NA are a phone call away and they are your new friends. For that first 6 months of my recovery I went to meetings everyday and often had dinner with those in my meeting group. I needed help and I needed that help from those who knew how to get it and got it themselves. AA introduced me to the new straight and sober friends I needed most.
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