Chapter 1: The Nature of Alcoholism

What constitutes an alcoholic? To me, the answer is straightforward. If you can't assure your behavior after having just one drink, you may indeed be an alcoholic. This concept encapsulates the struggle entirely.

I’ve learned through personal experience that once I take that initial sip, my choices vanish. My life becomes dictated by the intoxicating effects of ethyl alcohol. After that first drink, my demeanor could shift dramatically—transforming from a calm individual into an aggressive, unruly version of myself that even a skunk would avoid.

This exemplifies why one drink is excessive for me. It's a complete surrender of control. I recognize that I am powerless over alcohol, and my life spirals into chaos. I inevitably yearn for more—much more.

In fact, Lay's Potato Chips once had a slogan: "Betcha can't have just one!" This cleverly targeted individuals like me, those with addictive tendencies. They were correct—once I indulge in one chip, I find it impossible to stop until the entire bag is consumed.

The same pattern applies to cookies, ice cream, or any treat. The thirst for more mirrors the initial drink's craving. I can confidently say that I never reached a point where I felt satisfied. I would drive everyone home, only to wake up the next day with no memory of the night before.

This leads to the realization that even a thousand drinks won't satisfy my desire for alcohol and the escapism it provides. Stopping drinking is merely one aspect of achieving true sobriety. If I simply refrain from drinking, I'm not truly sober—I'm just choosing to abstain, which often leaves me feeling even worse.

The truth is, I can’t drown my problems in alcohol; they swim too well. There's an old adage that you can sober up a drunken thief, but you still have a thief. Without engaging in a meaningful recovery program, the underlying issues remain.

However, if someone joins AA and earnestly commits to their program, they can safeguard not only their well-being but also others around them. This is because the first half of the First Step addresses alcohol, while the subsequent parts focus on altering our mindset.

Change your mindset, change your existence!

It’s important to note that many can drink responsibly without falling into addiction. I don’t oppose drinking; I simply know it's not an option for me.

Dr. Brown, a former professional at the Brighton Alcoholic Rehab Hospital, warned me that if I ever drank again, I might find myself in a more profound state of addiction than before. This reinforces my conviction that I can never entertain the thought of “just one” drink. The idea of stopping after half a drink seems ludicrous to me—what a waste!

These insights illustrate why, for those of us with alcoholism, one drink is too many while a thousand will never suffice. If you identify as an alcoholic or addict, know that you don’t have to remain trapped in this cycle. Hope exists. Just reach out!

If I can achieve this, so can you! Thank you, God!

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Chapter 2: The Path to Recovery

This video delves into the profound impact of addiction, highlighting the struggles many face with alcohol dependency.

In this presentation, Lorraine McCauley discusses the notion that "one drink is one too many," emphasizing the challenges of moderation in the context of addiction.