I have sometimes heard members say that they were glad they had this disease. This didn't make much sense to me as it is a mental illness which few maintain lasting recovery from. I have never heard anyone say they were glad they were schizo or bi-polar. Early in recovery, it seemed like I had a terrible handicap and I even felt sorry for myself because I seemed to suffer more from self-pity than anyone else around. But it eventually hit me that I wouldn't collect much if I sat on a street corner with a tin cup and an sign around my neck that said, "Can't Drink Socially." But I eventually came to understand that it was this disease that led me to the 12 Step program to live by, a God of my understanding and a lot of people I could be honest and open with. I recall one guy in my early meetings who used to mouth some nonsense about us having an unfair advantage over the rest of society. At least we know what is wrong with ourselves and can do something about it. I have never been a non-alcoholic but suspect that I would find it rather dull. As someone else put it, "I used to suffer from insanity but now rather enjoy it." I still have to do quite a bit to maintain my sanity and sobriety, but I have really gotten to enjoy doing those things, and I believe that I eventually found a kind of happiness and contentment that few find in this life. I recall that someone who was probably not on the road to recovery said, "Reality is for people who can't handle drugs." It seems to me now that, having no other alternatives that wouldn't be likely to lead to death or being locked up somewhere, I have been forced to come to terms with reality, adjust to it and eventually enjoy living it it, a spiritual reality with a loving God in charge. |