The alcoholic has three demons he/she can’t afford to entertain in early sobriety.
  • Anger
  • Resentment
  • Self-Pity
The alcoholic, more than the average person, has been burdened with habits of worry, fear and indecision. The average garden-variety alcoholic, on the day of his initial sobriety, has far more serious problems than the so-called “normal” individual. So for the average garden-variety alcoholic, it becomes necessary to take one problem at a time. For the alcoholic, in his initial sobriety, it is of paramount importance to live one day at a time, less he is driven back to the bottle in useless remorse or by groundless fears. Driven by anger, resentment and self-pity, the alcoholic will return to the bottle as quick as the elusive flea on a dog’s back. Christmas and New Year can be dangerous for the alcoholic. Sometimes surrounded by those they perceive as selfish, self-centered family and friends, the alcoholic will react to perceived slights of “not drinking eh?” and start ruminating over an old argument. An old resentment glowing with smouldering embers can ignite uncontrollable anger and propel the alcoholic back to the bottle. Vigilance is imperative at this time of the year. Vigilance is important for the rest of the alcoholic’s life. He/she cannot afford the luxury of anger, resentment and self-pity. Relationships and financial insecurity can also initiate anger, resentment and self-pity. They are culprits of many “busts” ending in anger, resentment and self-pity. An alcoholic’s future is determined not so much by his plans for tomorrow as by his actions today. Don’t walk where it’s slippery. Don’t set yourself up for failure. The old saying in an Accountant’s world rings true for the alcoholic. “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” In our emotional life – the one ingredient that is always present in every neurosis and which probably contributes more to the neurosis than any other one factor is fear. Fear comes from what might or what will happen tomorrow. Fear of a present existent danger generates courage; but fear of the future or the past generates a beautiful neurosis. When a present danger comes along, in the average individual there is a saving reaction by nature. Adrenalin is poured into the blood; the heart pumps more blood and faster and from this comes more strength, more agility and more courage to act. Chronic fear of what might be or what might have been or what has been, depresses the flow of adrenalin, slows the heart action and thus stymies action. This is why the chronic fearful neurotic is seldom interested in exercise. He just wants to sit and worry. So, in the mechanics of emotion, it is living in the present that saves us from the cures of the neuroses. After all, even psychotic “flight from reality” is a form of refusal to face the present. Anger, resentment and self-pity have no place in the alcoholic’s present. They are luxuries he can’t afford to dwell upon. There is no better nerve tonic in the entire world than living one day at a time. Anger, resentment and self-pity cannot survive if allowed to live in the alcoholic’s mind more than one day at a time. Talking to a friend, who understands the complexities of the alcoholic, will help put things into perspective. Nervous tension comes from thinking too much. Our best thinking didn’t get us to where we are today. It’s our stinking thinking that leads us to drinking. Most nervous tension comes from thinking consciously or otherwise, of what might be or what ought to be or what has been. The most unbearable tension there is, is remaining in between those two awful eternities: yesterday – with all its mistakes, and tomorrow with all its threats and fears. Take a break and be kind to yourself. Live today without holding on to anger, resentment and self-pity. Talk to someone, take a shower, walk along a beach, go for a drive and get out of your head. When you get inside your head you are behind enemy lines – it’s too dangerous in there. You’ve got the kid, the teenager and the adult – all vying for attention. All the “what ifs” “should haves” and “if only” come flooding back to haunt you. To help sort out the complexities of anger, resent and self-pity and balance your Dopamine Neurotransmitter, the centre of satisfaction and reward, I often recommend amino acids, like Tyrosine, Gaba and l-Glutamine, to help balance brain chemistry and a good liver tonic to help repair liver damage. Specific amino acids are essential for the liver to breakdown toxins and drugs and also for efficient metabolism in the liver. Glutamine. This amino acid is required for phase two detoxification in the liver and is required in increased amounts by those who consume excessive alcohol. It is able to reduce the craving for alcohol. Glutamine supplementation is helpful for intestinal disorders such as peptic ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Leaky gut is the term used to describe an inflamed condition of the lining of the bowel, which makes the bowel too permeable, so that toxins and incompletely digested food particles can be absorbed from the bowels directly into the liver. This increases the workload of the liver and may cause many health problems. Glutamine is essential for the white cells to fight viruses such as hepatitis B and C. Glutamine is converted in the body into glutamic acid, which, along with the amino acids cysteine and glycine, is converted into the powerful liver protector glutathione. Glutathione is essential for liver phase two conjugation reactions used during detoxification of drugs and toxic chemicals. Glutamine supplementation can be found in our Ultimate Gut Health Powder. LivaTone Plus is a natural liver tonic containing the liver herbs St Mary’s Thistle, Globe Artichoke and Dandelion, combined with the amino acid Taurine, and Lecithin. It also contains natural sources of Chlorophyll, Carotenoids and fibre. It is available in both capsule and powder form. The liver is the main fat burning organ in the body and regulates fat and carbohydrate metabolism. A healthy liver will take fat in the form of cholesterol and pump it via the bile into the intestines where it will be carried away in the bowel actions provided the diet is high in fiber. Tyrosine Mood Food - Tyrosine is a natural amino acid - one of the building blocks of protein. It is required for the manufacture of the brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) dopamine and noradrenaline. These neurotransmitters are required for concentration, alertness, memory and a happy, stable mood. Magnesium – the great relaxer. Magnesium plays an essential role in maintaining and promoting efficient muscle function and nerve transmission. Magnesium is a vital mineral for hundreds of cellular enzymes involved in the body's energy production and metabolism. It is required by the nervous system to regulate the function of nerves and muscles. Magnesium may also assist in the reduction of stress, nervous tension, anxiety and sleeplessness. The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.