The first sentence of Chapter 7 Working with Others is “Practical experience
shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work
with other alcoholics.”
For most of my nearly fourteen years of working 12-step recovery on AA,
I was a service junkie for GSO committees at the local District and Intergroup
level in an effort to stay sober while—in theory—working with others. In practice, I was all-too-often isolating at
home hiding behind my keyboard avoiding intimacy with others. My ego, fears and lack of humility all worked
to prevent me from feeling truly connected with others.
My service work undoubtedly helped many other alcoholics find recovery
and stay sober in the halls of AA. I did
a lot of really good things to help still suffering alcoholics in my community
and the greater Seattle area. Unfortunately
that was not enough to keep me sober.
After an extended period of using last year, it was clear that I would
have to change my way of doing service work.
I have stopped all GSO committee service work and now work one-on-one with
other alcoholics. As the result of
working with others, I am now happier and more serene. Hopefully I will never relapse again. Statistically, it is likely that I will. Either way, I know how to find my way to the
halls of AA, be of service to and identify with other still suffering
alcoholics.
I am grateful for: my sobriety; progress in my recovery; increased honesty
and intimacy; and for the joy I get in watching the progress of those that I am
helping.
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