Big Book Quote of the Day - May 29, 2009

"Opinions vary considerably as to why the alcoholic reacts differently from normal people. We are not sure why, once a certain point is reached, little can be done for him. We cannot answer the riddle." 

- Alcoholics Anonymous, 4Th Edition, There Is A Solution, pg. 2

I don' know why it is, but it is.  Once we cross over an invisible line, we're never the same again.  Its like a cucumber turning into a pickle, there's no going back.  I had  to hit bottom before I was  able to take the help that was offered to me.  My experience is that I got the gift of desperation that only one individual can get.  Some people have to die before they can get to that point others may pick up the salad fork instead of the dinner fork and reach their bottom.  Still others have to lose their jobs, their  families or 30-40 years of their life before and still they may not be willing to become teachable.  No one knows why we are what we are, but the fact of the matter is that I know the truth today.  That truth is that I cannot take a drink safely because I don't know if I could take just one drink but I refuse to get back onto that merry-go-round of insanity.  Just for today.

- PeterB in NC