The Prosperity Drinker

[admin]

I don't know why but I have the urge to share this subject today. Perhaps, there is someone out there who needs this input!

I have known many alkies who could not stand "prosperity" Over a period of sobriety they accumulate some wealth, things at work are going so good, they get a promotion, perhaps a new car and things at home are also "peachy". They are sooooo happy and contented!

Then, that snake that is in each of us sees his opportunity to strike. The thought comes "I feel like celebrating" How has the alkie been programed to celebrate?........"one drink won't kill me"....and away we go! This could happen at a wedding, office party or on the way home from work.

IMO as many alkies slipped as "prosperity drinkers" as had from "resentments".

I once was the "prosperity drinker" but many years ago an old-timer gave me a novel thought. He said "we have been taught to use the Serenity Prayer when things go wrong, how about using it to 'accept' the things that go right"

As the years have gone by, I am still amazed at the "wisdom" of those old-timers of the sixties and seventies - simple solutions for complicated problems

Well, perhaps there is just one person this will help, if not, it helped me by sharing. Let's still keep it simple by remembering "Drinking Is Not An Option" no matter what.

Tiger

[admin]

Dear Tiger----Thanks for this topic!!! Yeah we got to work the program in good times and bad times
It sounds so simple but it can be so hard!!! Sincerely----Misty Eve

Thanks for the warning, Tiger. Through the Grace of God and the living of the principles provided by our Twelve Steps, I haven't found it necessary to take a drink since arriving in A.A.

BUT...I know I'm only one drink away from the next debacle. Thank you for you wisdom and advice.
Dean

Hi Tiger

I know for myself that when I first came into AA my first sponsor told me that I drank when I was sad and happy and to watch and make sure when there was some prosperity in my life I should be careful!! She was a wonderful lady. She moved away and I miss her alot, but she was the one that told me things about soberity that I will never forget!! Yes Tiger this is a very good thing to bring up for new comers or the rest of us.

Have another good 24 hours Everybody!!

LOve&HUgs Silverbear


Hi Silverbear,

Thanks for your post. I was beginning to wonder if we had any alkies on EOR

Your sponsor was right. IMO there are more alkies who get drunk as "prosperity drinkers" as did by "resentments". In fact, I sponsor one. He get's a good job, things get back to normal and he is feeling soooo good, he goes out time after time again. Once, he had a year and again could not stand the "good things" - he *had* to screw them up and went out again!

I never dropped him because my beloved sponsor "Papa Frank" - a real old-timer of the sixties era never dropped me because:

No One Is Hopeless

Hope to hear from you again.........Tiger

Hi Soberfolks,
For me I have had relapses for both prosperity and resentment so I have to agree that both are very dangerous to my sobriety.In doing my fifth step I was able to deal with all the old resentments and thought I had it all figured out.Things started getting better after my fifth step,Prosperity was there for awhile and just like mentioned above I wanted to "celebrate"

Well my celebration quickly turned into a massive relapse that caused me to not only lose my sobriety but the very prosperity which I was "celebrating" The horns sure popped back out quick and needless to say another fifth step was required afterward lol


Dear Dinswood----I have heard it said that if you don't do a 5th you
will drink a 5th!!! MISTYEVE

[majestyjo]

This is so true, how many times I drank to other people's health or demize, only to pick up that first one. I tried quitting my way for 8 years and my way didn't work. I like the quote, use the Serenity Prayer when things are right, not always when things are wrong.

I find it comes in handy many times during the day, but it is important for me to use it to start my day before things are right or wrong. You just can't wear the Serenity Prayer out.