When we are in the grip of addiction, we are both the abused and the abuser for… “we invariably find that at some time in the past we have made decisions based on (in) self which later placed us in a position to be hurt.” BB pg.62
Invariably: on every occasion: always.
“The devil’s voice (the negative sense of self: ego) is logical, even plausible, but it’s still deception, God’s voice may seem delusional, but it speaks the truth beyond logic.” C.S. Lewis
Delusional: a persistent false psychotic belief regarding the self that is maintained despite indisputable evidence to the contrary.
Psychotic: having trouble telling the difference between what’s real and what’s not: exhibiting mental or emotional unsoundness or instability. “…there was always the curious mental phenomenon that parallel with our sound reasoning there inevitably ran some insanely trivial excuse for taking the first drink. Our sound reasoning failed to hold us in check. The insane idea won out. Next day we would ask ourselves, in all earnestness and sincerity, how it could have happened.” BB pg. 37
Indisputable: unquestionable: beyond questioning.
“We can either be a hostage to our ego, or a host to God. The choice is always ours. Choose wisely.” Wayne Dyer
“Simple, but not easy; a price had to be paid. It meant destruction of self-centeredness. I must turn in all things to the Father of Light who presides over us all.” BB pg. 14
“We learned that we had to fully concede to our innermost selves that we were alcoholics. This is the first step in recovery. The delusion that we are like other people, or presently may be, has to be smashed.” BB pg. 30
Concede: to acknowledge grudgingly or hesitantly, to accept as true, valid, or accurate.
Delusion:something that is falsely believed or propagated.
“What is his basic trouble? Is he not really a self-seeker even when trying to be kind? Is he not a victim of the delusion that he can wrest satisfaction and happiness out of this world if he only manages well?” BB pg. 61
“Selfishness – self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles. Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity, we step on the toes of our fellows and they retaliate.” BB pg. 62
Root: an underlying support : basis : the essential core : the heart.
Basis: something considered as its foundation, the principal component of something.
Self-delusion: the act of deluding oneself or the state of being deluded especially concerning one’s true nature, abilities, feelings, etc. Deluding: to mislead the mind or judgment of : deceive, trick oneself.
The next two paragraphs define the ALCOHOLIC DELUSION:
“The idea that somehow, someday he will control and enjoy his drinking is the great obsession of every abnormal drinker. The persistence of this illusion is astonishing. Many pursue it into the gates of insanity or death.
Obsession: a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often-unreasonable idea or feeling.
Abnormal: deviating from the normal or average, unusual in an unwelcome or problematic way.
Persistence: continuing to exist despite interference or treatment.
Illusion: something that deceives or misleads intellectually, perception of something objectively existing in such a way as to cause misinterpretation of its actual nature. “We are unable, at certain times, to bring into our consciousness with sufficient force the memory of the suffering and humiliation of even a week or a month ago …” BB pg. 24
Astonishing: causing a feeling of great surprise or wonder.
“…in their hearts they really do not know why they do it. Once this malady has a real hold, they are a baffled lot. There is the obsession that somehow, someday, they will beat the game. But they often suspect they are down for the count.” BB pg. 23
Baffled: extremely confused or puzzled.
“We learned that we had to fully concede to our innermost selves that we were alcoholics. This is the first step in recovery. The delusion that we are like other people, or presently may be, has to be smashed.” BB pg. 30
Once again, Delusion:something that is falsely believed or propagated.
SO:
“Burn the idea into the consciousness of every man that he can get well regardless of anyone. The only condition is that he trust in God and clean house.” BB pg. 98.
Regardless: despite everything or anyone.
“We cannot subscribe to the belief that this life is a vale of tears, though it once was just that for many of us. But it is clear that we made our own misery. God didn’t do it. Avoid then, the deliberate manufacture of misery, but if trouble comes, cheerfully capitalize it as an opportunity to demonstrate His (God’s) omnipotence.” BB pg. 133
Omnipotence: an agency or force of unlimited power.
Unlimited: Boundless, Infinite, Unrestricted.