SUBSTANCE ABUSE/SPIRITUALITY AND AA

BY

Virinder S. Grewal, M.D., F.A.C.S.

ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ASBUSE

Alcoholism/drug abuse is defined as a pattern of drinking/using the substances, which result in harmful consequences for the user, yet, they continue to use. Alcoholism/drug abuse is an incredibly tenacious disease, hurting all members of the user's family in various ways. The non-drinking members of an alcoholic family are not helpless to do anything about it. The prolonged use of large amounts of alcohol/drugs without adequate diet may cause serious liver damage, such as cirrhosis of the liver, loss of muscular control, delirium tremens causing hallucinations. Withdrawal may cause agitation, tremors and seizures. Alcoholics may suffer from lack of concentration "blackouts," memory lapses, complete memory loss and brain damage followed by insanity and death.

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to the suffering alcoholic/Drug Addicts and Alcoholics Anonymous for its continued help, education and realization of the effects alcoholism/drug abuse can have on the different aspects of a person's life and family. It serves as one of the best way that can help to control the number of alcoholics not only in the United States, but all over the world.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Above all I should like to thank my wife, Manjit, for her support to lead her life with few little annoyances here and there with the complaints of being stuck to the PC and apparently becoming an item of addiction. I would also like to thank my three sons Gaggandeep S. Grewal, Manvir S. Grewal, and Amardeep S .Grewal for their support and encouragement in my endeavors of Sobriety. For the Truth that there are many paths for spiritual growth, which one is best depends on the individual choice and in my case it is personal learning and experience of Sikh Faith. I would further acknowledge the support and encouragement given by fellow AA Members to push me in putting this book together.

PREFACE

Alcoholism/drug abuse is a chronic, often progressive disease. Left untreated, it can be fatal.

Alcoholism/drug abuse is characterized by a preoccupation with the substance of choice and impaired control over their intake. You may continue to abuse alcohol/drug despite serious adverse health, personal, work-related and financial consequences. Alcoholism usually involves physical dependence on alcohol, but genetic, psychological and social factors contribute to the addiction as well.



It's possible to have a problem with alcohol, but not display all the characteristics of alcoholism. This is known as "alcohol abuse," which means you engage in excessive drinking that result in health or social problems, but you aren't dependent on alcohol and haven't fully lost control over the use of alcohol.



According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, almost 18 million Americans abuse alcohol. Each year more than 100,000 Americans die of alcohol-related causes. Alcohol is a factor in nearly half of all U.S. traffic deaths.



Alcoholism and alcohol abuse cause major social, economic and public health problems. Various treatments are available, and self-help groups can provide ongoing support for people recovering from alcoholism.



Various treatments are available to help people with alcohol problems. Depending on the circumstances, treatment may involve an evaluation, a brief intervention, an outpatient program or counseling, or a residential inpatient stay. ----Mayo Clinic

The other programs available for sobriety are:

Spiritual- Alcoholics Anonymous

Non-Spiritual:

1. Rational Recovery (RR).

2. Secular Organization for Sobriety (SOS).

 

HOPE & DESIRE

The purpose of all AA group meetings is to “share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. Hope is the belief and desire the motive, both are necessary for a reasonable chance of fulfillment. One may covet, crave or lust for it.  It may not be easy to gratify the feeling or passion one may have developed for it.  In an unsatisfied state, one is not able to enjoy and be contented but can loose faith in a selfish supplication. But desire is also the key to motivation. It demands an unrelenting determination and commitment in the pursuit of one’s goal.  They not only lead to success in one’s pursuit but excellence as well. Desire is a longing for contentment of something. The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking. Hope is a desire accompanied by confident expectation of its fulfillment. Both can go beyond a mere wish, request or petition for an object. Hope is meaningless if it is not with respect to a desire. Desire would be a dormant wish if there is no hope at all. Word Hope appears 42 times in BB & 12 &12.

12&12 Step Eleven, p.99. "Lord, make me a channel of thy peace -- that where there is hatred, I may bring love -- that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness -- that where there is discord, I may bring harmony -- that where there is error, I may bring truth -- that where there is doubt, I may bring faith -- that where there is despair, I may bring hope -- that where there are shadows, I may bring light -- that where there is sadness, I may bring joy.

BB Preface, p.xii. If you have a drinking problem, we hope that you may pause in reading one of the forty-two personal stories and think: "Yes that happened to me"; or, more important, "Yes, I've felt like that"; or, most important, "Yes, I believe this program can work for me too."

BB The Doctor's Opinion, p.xxxi. His alcoholic problem was so complex, and his depression so great, that we felt his only hope would be through what we then called "moral psychology," and we doubted if even that would have any effect.

A desire can set off a chain reaction in the thought process -- as soon one desire is fulfilled another emerges. There may be complete calm in the mind in between two of them. At that moment one may be free from all thought, neither love nor hate.  Between the two mental waves of thought there is the possibility of complete serenity.  Animal desires of man cannot be suspended for long.  Nor can they be fulfilled except temporarily.

                     

A person who desires material things rather than virtues is always poor.

Mind reflects the collective conscious and unconscious processes in an organism.  They are manifested in thought. Its intellectual or rational faculty understands, remembers, conceives and thinks.  Mind also causes us to feel, judge and desire.  It also determines the state of one’s spirituality.  Without consciousness and mind, thoughts do not exist.  Without thoughts, mind cannot exist.  Mind is the tool of consciousness and depends for its existence on our experiences. Experiences are registered by consciousness.  And without consciousness there is no experience. Mind forms thoughts.  Hence it is often said that mind and thoughts are the same.  They are interdependent.  By controlling them, one can achieve the loftiness of life spiritual or otherwise. It requires an active effort on the part of the seeker to be blessed by God’s grace so he or she can control the mind, and succeed in concentration and focus on It.

Mortal does not die.  Only his biological body with all its earthly desires dies.  A desire for spirituality may awaken in a person. This desire is not of this world, it belongs to the Creator. If a man develops it he starts feeling not only the attributes of his body, but those of the Conscious as well, which is a part of the Creator's Attributes within Higher Self. Unfortunately mind is like a wild elephant that does not stop running after useless material desires.

One cannot get every thing one wants but one can learn to control the mind.  He can step outside the endless cycle of desires and aversions. One can learn not to want all that comes to mind.  He can recognize his desires but not be controlled by them. Man can control his mind so that the spiritual desires suppress the desires of the body.  Mind can then completely associate itself with the Consciousness.  This requires subjugation of the lower instincts of lust, anger, attachment, pride, and greed.  One can then let God in one’s life.  He can begin to develop Godly instincts of truth, contentment, compassion, faith and fortitude.  With the eradication of duality, peace of mind and serenity can be sustained and enjoyed. The body becomes only a means for the spiritual advancement in this exciting experience.  Compared to this great spiritual delight, small transitory physical pleasures are of little value.

    CONCLUSION:                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Conclusion: 

                                                                                                                                                                 Only by acknowledging and accepting what is at his core, one becomes self-contented.  One can learn to be satisfied even when one is not perfect in all areas of one’s life. Through such understanding one can better appreciate and even love oneself just as one is.  Then one begins to exude a quiet confidence that can open new doors in life.  One becomes free of unnecessary desires, hopes and disappointments.

DEVOTION

Devotion is a manifestation of deep affection or love.  It can be an eager inclination, zeal or even an addiction.  Such feelings toward God can be appropriately expressed by acts of worship; devoutness and commitment. It is an ardent affection, which can be directed toward a person or a principle. It can be a pious dedication, or love of religious observance. One should lay aside the difference between him and others, and feel no anxiety for things of this world. Contempt of the world should be in mind as an unchanging companion. One may bring eager feelings towards God and express them through acts of worship with devoutness.  It is one of the necessary perfections required in AA for spiritual growth.  It requires real dedication to meditation and Truth.  It is characterized by Willingness.  In daily life it is reflected in true humility from the core of one’s heart and in rigorous honesty one aims to attain God’s Grace. The Grace is required in controlling the mind to stay focused in devotion. 

Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens to us.  We are not enriched by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results. Our purpose in life is, perhaps, to be useful, to be responsible, and to be compassionate while we lead a fuller life.  This prospect is cancelled, however, once greed appears in the mind.

Love of God has nothing to do with what one is expecting to get.  It is more about what you are expected to give -- which is everything. Devotion is the immortal flow of energy that nourishes, extends and preserves life.  Its chief goal is to enhance the spiritual life.

One’s daily life also benefits from spiritual growth.  He may begin to find happiness in marriage, career, and other interests. Still intentions come easier than making actual, positive progress in spirituality.  Active devotion can aid one both in spiritual and non-spiritual matters.

One can make time for any accomplishment, one chooses in life.  However, modern man demands scientific proof of the validity of any practices, before he can be persuaded to accept them.  They must serve the welfare of the individual or of society.  This is true of values patronized in ancient spirituality as well.  This indeed is a Herculean task, given the intellectual and scientific evolution in the past millennium.  There has been almost a simultaneous deterioration in religious and cultural life.  The result is nearly a total neglect of spirituality and the emergence of blind faith.   Misconceptions, prejudices and superstitions abound.  Until and unless the principles of a faith are truly understood, there cannot be a true devotion to it.  What are the prospects for an individual at the present in this regard?  

Newer generation seems inclined to accept the New Leftist atheistic ideologies in the West.   God and faith tend to be regarded as phantom creations of the sick and fearful minds.   Human body is seen merely as chemical combination of inert elements.  The very existence of immortal consciousness is denied, A few in modern society also flirt with atheism like Dr. Dawkins, who claims God to be a mental delusion of the mortal.  They view worship of God as futile because God did not respond to their selfish prayers and demands made in their distress.  As a consequence, even a long held religiosity is discarded.

Activation of the subtle centers in the brain and the endocrine system can unleash the miraculous powers of the inner mind.  It can reveal the extrasensory mental faculties in us.  Sincere devotion in following the AA steps makes this possible.   The Spirit or Conscience is patiently waiting within each individual to be awakened.  It can reach the highest level of awareness through one’s dedication and earnest devotion. 

What an individual is looking for in his life?

There is something inside telling us that there is more to life than meets the eye.  We may sense that there are better ways to interact with our reality with deference. We want to open something inside but aren't sure what that something is.  Each of us on this earth is at a different stage of spiritual journey.  Others can preach to us, but they themselves may be unable to live according to what they profess.

Conclusion:

Spiritually enlightened mind is said to be a source of divine potentials. Hidden beneath the core of the conscious mind, there lie the prodigious powers of the unconscious mind. Devotion is the key to success in any project but more so in the life of the spirit. It is manifested in an ardent selfless affection, hope, faith and dedication.  It is filled with God’s love.  It gives a spiritual boost to the principle. In it one commits oneself in personal and private supplication to God and prays for understanding.

TEN PRINCIPLES FOR TRANQUILITY OF MIND

1. Do Not Interfere In Others Business Unless Asked: Most of us create our own problems by interfering in others affairs. We do so because somehow we have convinced ourselves that our way is the best way, our logic is the perfect logic and those who do not conform to our thinking must be criticized and steered to the right direction, our direction. This thinking denies the existence of individuality and consequently the existence of God. God has created each one of us in a unique way. No two human beings can think or act inexactly the same way. All men or women act the way they do because God within them prompts them that way. Mind your own business and you will keep your peace.                                              

2. Forgive And Forget: This is the most powerful aid to peace of mind. We often develop ill feelings inside our heart for the person who insults us or harms us. We nurture grievances. This in turn results in loss of sleep, development of stomach ulcers, and high blood pressure. This insult or injury was done once, but nourishing of grievance goes on forever by constantly remembering it. Get over this bad habit. Life is too short to waste in such trifles. Forgive & Forget, and March on. Love flourishes in giving and forgiving.                         

3. Do Not Crave For Recognition: This world is full of selfish people. They seldom praise anybody without selfish motives. They may praise you today because you are in power, but no sooner than you are powerless; they will forget your achievement and will start finding faults in you. Why do you wish to kill your peace of mind in striving for their recognition? Their recognition is not worth the aggravation. Do your duties ethically and sincerely.                     

4. Do Not Be Jealous: We all have experienced how jealousy can disturb our peace of mind. You know that you work harder than your colleagues in the office, but sometimes they get promotions; you do not. You started a business several years ago, but you are not as successful as your neighbor whose business is only one year old. There are several examples like these in everyday life. Should you be jealous? No. Remember everybody's life is shaped by his destiny, which has now become his reality. If you are destined to be rich, nothing in the world can stop you. If you are not so destined, no one can help you either. Nothing will be gained by blaming others for your misfortune. Jealousy will not get you anywhere; it will only take away your peace of mind. 

5. Change Yourself According To The Environment: If you try to change the environment single-handedly, the chances are you will fail. Instead, change yourself to suit your environment. As you do this, even the environment, which has been unfriendly to you, will mysteriously change and seem congenial and harmonious. 

6. Endure What Cannot Be Cured: This is the best way to turn a disadvantage into an advantage. Every day we face numerous inconveniences, ailments, irritations, and accidents that are beyond our control. If we cannot control them or change them, we must learn to put up with these things. We must learn to endure them cheerfully. Believe in yourself and you will gain in terms of patience, inner strength and will power.                                                                                                          

7. Do Not Bite Off More Than You Can Chew: This maxim needs to be remembered constantly. We often tend to take more responsibilities than we are capable of carrying out. This is done to satisfy our ego. Know your limitations. . Why take on additional loads that may create more worries? You cannot gain peace of mind by expanding your external activities. Reduce your material engagements and spend time in prayer, introspection and meditation. This will reduce those thoughts in your mind that make you restless. Uncluttered mind will produce greater peace of mind.       

8. Meditate Regularly: Meditation calms the mind and gets rid of disturbing thoughts. Try and experience it yourself. If you meditate earnestly for half an hour every day, your mind will tend to become peaceful during the remaining twenty-three and half-hours. Your mind will not be easily disturbed as it was before. You would benefit by gradually increasing the period of daily meditation. You may think that this will interfere with your daily work. On the contrary, this will increase your efficiency and you will be able to produce better results in less time.  It is easy to say than to do it.           

9. Never Leave the Mind Vacant: An empty mind is the devil's workshop. All evil actions start in the vacant mind. Keep your mind occupied in something positive, something worthwhile. Actively follow a hobby. Do something that holds your interest. You must decide what you value more: money or peace of mind. Your hobby, like social work or religious work, may not always earn you more money, but you will have a sense of fulfillment and achievement. Even when you are resting physically, occupy yourself in healthy reading or chanting of God's name.  

10. Do Not Procrastinate and Never Regret: Do not waste time in protracted wondering "Should I or shouldn't I?" Days, weeks, months, and years may be wasted in that futile mental debating. You can never plan enough because you can never anticipate all future happenings. Value your time and do the things that need to be done. It does not matter if you fail the first time. You can learn from your mistakes and succeed the next time. Sitting back and worrying will lead to nothing. Learn from your mistakes, but do not brood over the past. DO NOT REGRET. Whatever happened was destined to happen only that way. Why cry over spilt milk?

Remember well and bear in mind.

A good - true friend is hard to find.

And when you find one who is good and true.

Don't trade him off for one who is new.

Remember well and bear in mind.

That a life of sobriety is hard to find.

Now that you have it - stop and think.

Before you reach for that first drink.

The joys of sobriety are many and great.

But take one drink and many hearts you'll break.

The heartaches, hangovers, remorse and pain.

I'm sure we don't want to experience again.

So in all sincerity I say to you friend.

MAY YOUR LIFE OF SOBRIETY NEVER END?