"A CHECKLIST OF SYMPTOMS
LEADING TO RELAPSE"
The other day I was hunting through all my literature for an index to topics in "Alcoholics Anonymous", our Big Book. I found it tucked inside another book, "Living Sober", a little yellow book I had when I left treatment August, 1985. In the same book I found many papers I was given while there. What follows is a synopsis of one set of papers I found in that book. I used it and thought about it frequently in the first years of sobriety.
The checklist follows:
Introduction:
While the individual himself must maintain the disciplines that insure sobriety, there are ways in which others can help. Others close to the alcoholic are often able to recognize behavior changes that indicate a return to the old ways of thinking. Often they have tried to warn the subject, who by now may not be willing to be told. He may consider it nagging or violation of his privacy.
There are many danger signs. Most alcoholics if approached properly, would be willing to go over an inventory of symptoms periodically with a spouse or other confidante. If the symptoms are caught early enough and recognized, the alcoholic will usually try to change his thinking, to get "back on the beam" again.
A weekly inventory of symptoms might prevent some relapses. This added discipline is one which many alcoholics seem willing to try.
FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF COMMON SYMPTOMS LEADING TO A "DRY DRUNK" TO POSSIBLE RELAPSE OR TO WHAT A.A. COMMONLY CALLS "STINKING THINKING"
(This inventory was very useful in the beginning while I was working the steps and learning through steps 10 and 11 how to inventory myself on a regular and immediate basis.)
1. Exhaustion
2. Dishonesty
3. Impatience
4. Argumentativeness
5. Depression
6. Frustration
7. Self-Pity
8. Cockiness
9. Complacency
10. Expecting too much from others
11. Letting up on disciplines
12. Use of mood altering chemicals
13. Wanting too much
14. Forgetting gratitude
15. "It can't happen to me."
16. Omnipotence
This checklist may have been in vogue 24 years ago, but I believe the items listed are as relevant today as they were then. I hope this will be helpful to someone who reads it.
Love you all,
Prayer Girl
P.S. - I really miss Mama Duck who became a part of our family for the month plus that she made her home on our front porch. I miss the ducklings too. I will keep my eyes open as I move about the "hood" for a glimpse of Mama duck with her little group of ducklings waddling after her.
The checklist follows:
Introduction:
While the individual himself must maintain the disciplines that insure sobriety, there are ways in which others can help. Others close to the alcoholic are often able to recognize behavior changes that indicate a return to the old ways of thinking. Often they have tried to warn the subject, who by now may not be willing to be told. He may consider it nagging or violation of his privacy.
There are many danger signs. Most alcoholics if approached properly, would be willing to go over an inventory of symptoms periodically with a spouse or other confidante. If the symptoms are caught early enough and recognized, the alcoholic will usually try to change his thinking, to get "back on the beam" again.
A weekly inventory of symptoms might prevent some relapses. This added discipline is one which many alcoholics seem willing to try.
FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF COMMON SYMPTOMS LEADING TO A "DRY DRUNK" TO POSSIBLE RELAPSE OR TO WHAT A.A. COMMONLY CALLS "STINKING THINKING"
(This inventory was very useful in the beginning while I was working the steps and learning through steps 10 and 11 how to inventory myself on a regular and immediate basis.)
1. Exhaustion
2. Dishonesty
3. Impatience
4. Argumentativeness
5. Depression
6. Frustration
7. Self-Pity
8. Cockiness
9. Complacency
10. Expecting too much from others
11. Letting up on disciplines
12. Use of mood altering chemicals
13. Wanting too much
14. Forgetting gratitude
15. "It can't happen to me."
16. Omnipotence
This checklist may have been in vogue 24 years ago, but I believe the items listed are as relevant today as they were then. I hope this will be helpful to someone who reads it.
Love you all,
Prayer Girl
P.S. - I really miss Mama Duck who became a part of our family for the month plus that she made her home on our front porch. I miss the ducklings too. I will keep my eyes open as I move about the "hood" for a glimpse of Mama duck with her little group of ducklings waddling after her.
