Hi, Rhonda,
I'm not sure I can explain what you don't understand, but will try.  My
remarks that some alcoholics will exchange their addiction to alcohol for
addiction to the 12-step program of A A, refer to some who absolutely need
that program and the other folks in it, in order to keep them from
drinking.  In other words, they become addicted to the program itself,
without which they will go back to drinking.
What you said about making decisions day after day, and one day at a time,
certainly does apply to keeping any addiction under control.  I suppose
they must affirm every day that they will not drink.  And my comments
certainly don't apply to everyone who goes into a 12-step program, only
some.  I happen to know a couple of folks who did exchange drinking for the
program, and then back again to the drinking.
I hope this clears up my comments on the subject, Rhonda.  If not, I'll be
glad to try further to help you.  Write to me offlist, if you like.
Helen


Earlier, Rhonda Partain wrote:
>I have known a lot of people who were able to quit
>their drug or alcohol habbit through the support of
>those who knew from personal experience just what it
>was to have a drug problem.  I guesss I am sort of
>confused by your message, we live one day at a time,
>we are free from sin because of Christ, but yet, we
>sometimes choose to sin, does that mean we are not
>free?  I have never had a drug problem, but I would
>think it is hard to quit, decisions must be made every
>day, and situations come up where once more one must
>afirm his desire to be drug free, just as in life, we
>are faced with situations, we could lie, cheat, gossip
>about someone, say unkind words, but we decide once
>again that we want to honor God with how we live our
>life.
>Rhonda
>Helen <[log in to unmask]> wrote:John, that is so true. I
>think the Salvation Army turned from Truth long
>ago. And I have known personally people who have
>stopped drinking but then
>became addicted to the 12-step program of A A. And as
>addicted to the A A
>program that one man became, it didn't keep him from
>drinking, for he
>eventually then went from that addiction back to the
>alcohol. What Phil
>said at the end of his post " 80 percent
> >of the members were formers addicts or alcoholics.
>Notice I said former and
> >not recovering. They don't believe, God bless them,
>in recovering nothing.
> >You are either free or you ain't. Finally, somebody
>got it right." I
>agree with one hundred and fifty percent.
>By the way, your former pastor's comment "What you win
>them with, you win
>them to." can be a wonderful encouragement. Gretchen
>is in a place where
>she is being won by the Spirit of God.......therefore
>she is also being won
>to the Spirit of God. Isn't that just too
>wonderful??!!
>Love to all,
>Helen
>
>
>Earlier, John Schwery wrote:
> >Phil, it sounds like the Salvation Army has bought
>into the A A
> >philosophy. I suppose that A A has helped some
>people, but with that
> >program, one goes from one addiction to the A A
>addiction. One of my
> >former pastors used to say, What you win them with,
>you win them to. Funny
> >how the Lord works in finding you a church home,
>getting that church from a
> >bad situation. Sort of like Joseph and his brothers.
> >
> >earlier, Phil Scovell, wrote:
> > >this coming Wednesday, on March the seventeenth,
>Gretchen has to go see her
> > >case officer. This lady decides if Gretchen's gets
>to stay in this church
> > >program or if she goes to prison instead. Of
>course, Gretchen walked away
> > >from the Salivation Army program after a week but
>this church ministry is a
> > >million times better for her. So we are just
>praying she gets to stay in
> > >the church program and her case officer will agree.
>We are all in agreement
> > >about attending this church so it appears we have
>found a church home again.
> > >By the way, for general information? Forget about
>the Salivation Army drug
> > >and alcohol rehab program. There ain't nothing
>Christian about it any more.
> > >They even make each and ever person sign up for
>food stamps. Victory Out
> > >Reach, where she is now, is a church of a good 300
>core people. 80 percent
> > >of the members were formers addicts or alcoholics.
>Notice I said former and
> > >not recovering. They don't believe, God bless them,
>in recovering nothing.
> > >You are either free or you ain't. Finally, somebody
>got it right.
> > >
> > >Phil.
> > >
>
>
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