Subj : I don't get it...
To   : Rebel English
From : Mitch W
Date : Thu Feb 08 2001 12:39 pm

 RE> Hi, I'm Rebel

Hello, I'm Mitch. I hope I can make myself somewhat clear...

 RE> I've been clean and sober since May 21st, 1992 and am

I'm clean and sober since July 4, 1985.

 RE> reasonablly good at screwing my life just fine without drugs
 RE> and booze. So far however, I haven't fallen off, so that's
 RE> one in the positive column.

Ditto here, except (IMHO) that I don't consider myself to be on the wagon which 
"falling off" reminds me of. But, for the most part, that's a game of symantics 
or an example of me complicating the simple.

 RE> What I don't get is people that think that drugs and booze
 RE> are 2 seperate fields of recovery. Yesterday I ran into a

Drugs and booze were often different paths, and in some cases, different 
worlds, in the world. While I don't believe in so called pure addicts or 
alcoholics, there are many drunks that couldn't identify with a stone cold 
junky. Heck, NA was founded in the early fifties because junkies were dying in 
AA because of an inability to identify with AAs.

 RE> fellow wearing an NA medallion standing out front of a
 RE> convienence store with a beer in his hand.

To me, this is just an example of a failure to be honest with oneself.

However, that person has the right  to do what they want when they want. The 
only objection I'd have is if that person shared their ESH while in that 
condition, it would be the beer talking, not that person. Beer can't share 
clean experience.

 RE> I really wanted to say something but I do remember the only
 RE> time I did say something in this situation (AA member who
 RE> reeked of MaryJane) and not only did it almost come to blows
 RE> but I also got repremanded by several other members.

JMHO, but I believe that there has to be many paths to recovery. Not all of us 
drunks are addicts, nor, are all addicts drunks. Just as not all of us have a 
problem with gambling, though I do. That said, I must remind myself that I am 
responsible for my own recovery, not yours nor anyone else's.

In recovery, I must be able to identify with others in recovery. that's the 
main reason why a "one size fits all" brand of recovery would not work IMHO. As 
a recovering alcoholic, my recovery is in the steps. It's pretty impossible to 
work those steps with a joint hanging out of my mouth. And, as a recovering 
addict, my recovery is also in the steps. It's pretty impossible to work those 
steps with a beer in my hand.

 RE> I just don't get it

Neither Michelob maintenance nor Marijuanna maintenance work. (I've personally 
tried both, before 7/4/85 that is) There are those who try these paths, and 
claim to have "time". They're only fooling themselves. Remember, "... there are 
such unfortunates..."

And even if, for some reason, somebody could consider somebody smoking pot 
sober (I have no idea what sober would mean in such a case), do such people 
stay sober?

After all is said and done, glad I'm clean and sober.

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 * Origin: The Right Place, Fort Lee, NJ (201) 947-8231 (1:2604/539.11)

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