The Marina Dock March 2007 Newsletter

The Marina Dock Newsletter March 2007

Dear Marina Dock Members and Patrons:

Can we now declare the worst of this winter is finally behind us? It's March and spring is supposed to be in the air. Maybe by Saint Patrick's Day we will see the end of it? It was a long one. February is a seasonally slow month for us financially, this year however a few people became Marina Dock members so that kind of took the edge of things somewhat. We had about six in total who joined up for a $300.00, membership that covered our liability insurance for 2007, which is $1700.00. It always seems to work out, just when it looks like we are about to get into a hole, a number of people without knowing our circumstances kick down and we can relax for at least another month. Thank you one and all for your generosity and support every month. Also we received a donation in February, which enabled us to buy three new mattresses and covers for the futon love seats in the social room and the East Room; this time we got black covers to save on the laundry bill. We would like to get some indirect lighting for the social room to replace the lamp over by counter area, that lamp is irritating, too much glare and very hard on the eyes, it's also taking up some valuable space. We plan on having the carpets cleaned in March, ($600.00) , we get a lot of beverage spills, and it would be great if our patrons remembered to use lids for their beverages, it really helps with the spills. Again, I would like to remind everyone we are solely dependent on the financial contributions and membership dues of our patrons, all contributions are tax deductible, you still have time, I believe, to get a deduction for 2006.

MEA CULPA

It's almost impossible these days not to read or hear about some luminary or high profile individual entering a rehabilitation center or clinic after some major faux pas while under the influence. The media then takes up the story and there is the usual public pronouncements of recrimination and remorse, and promises of change For the most part this is all good, these episodes of public humiliation can turn out to be a blessing in disguise, it provides the individual so afflicted with, what is know in the language of recovery as, "a moment of clarity" In many cases it can be a catalyst for change a defining moment so to speak, that can fundamentally change the direction of ones life. To quote the English poet William Blake "The road of excess leads to the path of wisdom" But why all the euphemisms? Alcohol Abuse, Alcohol problem, Alcohol Dependency, Substance Abuse, Substance Dependency. What exactly do these terms mean? When I was introduced to A.A over 25 years ago I was told alcoholism was a progressive disease, over any given period of time it always gets worse never better, or in less clinical terms I was informed it was like being pregnant, you are either pregnant or you are not. One of the most misconstrued aspects of the disease of alcoholism from the perspective of the nonalcoholic population is the notion that one has to be drinking and drinking excessively in order to meet the definition. We who are recovering alcoholics know this to be erroneous and misleading. We know from our research and literature that alcoholism is a patient and progressive disease that can take anywhere from 5 to fifty years from onset to chronic or late stage alcoholism. So I suppose we could say that in the various stages we are potential alcoholics, except speaking from my own experience the practicing alcoholic has no potential. Here is an article I found that might shed some light on this confusing issue, and hopefully help someone who may be having questions about their own drinking.

Three Stages of Alcoholism You Should Know

By David Buster

Alcoholism stages can be categorized into three stages of alcoholism -- early stage, middle stage and end stage alcoholism or late stage alcoholism. Alcoholism stages generally take years to develop. Alcoholism is a disease where alcoholic beverage consumption is at a level that interferes with physical or mental health, and negatively impacts social, family or occupational responsibilities. Consuming no more than one or two drinks per day for healthy men and a drink a day for healthy non-pregnant women are generally considered acceptable alcohol consumption without health risks. However, as the amount or frequency of drinking increases, the earliest of the alcoholism stages can develop as a result.

Early Stages of Alcoholism

In the early alcoholism stages, a person begins to depend on alcohol to affect their mood. They drink for relief from problems, and they begin thinking more and more about alcohol. The person and others around them may not recognize that they are in the earliest of the stages of alcoholism. A gradual increase in tolerance happens, meaning, it takes increasing amounts of alcohol to achieve the desired mood-altering effects. Often, the person can consume large amounts of alcohol without appearing impaired.

In the early alcoholism stages, the body has adapted to increasing amounts of alcohol. In fact, how a person functions will likely be improved with drinking as blood alcohol levels rise. For example, they can think and talk normally or walk a straight line with no problem. However, with continued alcohol consumption over time, the body begins to lose its ability to deal with high alcohol levels. As this occurs, when the alcoholic stops drinking and their blood alcohol level decreases, their thinking, talking or walking functions deteriorate, and they are moving into the next of the stages of alcoholism.

Middle Alcoholism Stages

The need and desire to drink gradually becomes more intense. Drinking larger amounts and more often happens as well as drinking earlier in the day. The alcoholic is losing control over drinking, and the body is losing its ability to process alcohol like it did in the early stages of alcoholism. Their tolerance decreases as they become intoxicated more easily. Withdrawal symptoms begin to become more severe if alcohol is reduced.

The person may now secretly recognize there is a drinking problem, and others may begin to notice as well. Unfortunately, the alcoholic no longer can judge how much alcohol their body can handle. Typically, the drinker denies to themselves and others that alcohol is a problem so they won't have to deal with their inner turmoil. Hangovers, blackouts and stomach problems can now be physical symptoms that occur on a regular basis.

End Stage Alcoholism

As alcoholism progresses, the alcoholic has become obsessed with drinking to the exclusion of nearly everything else. Everyone can tell there's a major problem. During the late alcoholism stages, the mental and physical health of the alcoholic are seriously deteriorating. Many of the body's organs have been damaged which lowers resistance to disease. Relationships at home or socially may have been severely damaged, and there can be mounting financial and legal problems due to the alcoholic's powerlessness over alcohol.

Every alcoholic will suffer from malnutrition. Alcohol in large amounts interferes with the digestion process and the passage of nutrients from the intestines into the bloodstream. Liver function has been damaged, further limiting the conversion of nutrients into a usable form that the body can assimilate. The damaged cells are not receiving the needed nutrients, they cannot repair themselves and the damage continues. Nutritional deficiencies cause a host of related problems to become worse. For example, vitamin B-1 deficiency common in alcoholics can result in loss of mental alertness and appetite, fatigue, confusion and emotional instability.

And if the alcoholic continues drinking, alcohol will cause the death of the alcoholic in one way or another. From suicide, accidents and related injuries to direct damage to the body's organs and systems, death will likely be the final outcome of end stage alcoholism. Are there warning signs of alcoholism? Yes! Understand the signs and symptoms that indicate that alcohol consumption is becoming or is already a problem. There are resources available in a variety of ways to help deal with alcoholism stages and the serious consequences of this disease.

Step Ten Musings

I have noticed lately that some people in the program seem to be confused as to the type inventory continue to take when practicing the 10th Step. Firstly, the previous 9 Steps should be thoroughly addressed before getting on to 10. The 4th step requires that we list our resentments and get to the root causes and conditions of those resentments (mostly self-centered fears). Through the 5th, 6th and 7th Steps a spiritual change takes place (or, as Dr Carl Jung calls it, a psychic displacement). We then address a second list, the 8th Step. This list is the exact obverse of the 4th Step; it requires that we list those who may have resentments against us and that now, because we are in God's will not ours as we were in the 4th Step, we are willing to change those relationships. What the 8th and 9th Steps do is have us remove fears and resentments that we have caused in others. So, when I am doing the 10th Step, it is NOT about MY fears and resentments, it is about how am I doing about not continuing to cause fear, resentment and pain in others. Therefore, the 10th Step is NOT a form of spiritual hypochondria where I am neurotically taking my emotional pulse every 1/2-hour and frenetically scratching out my list of grievances towards the world. If this were the case, I would either drink or shoot myself. AA's 12 Steps are a program of recovery. Newcomers should be attracted to members with some time who are living useful and happy lives, we owe this to them. We do not hide our difficulties but show how this way of life allows us to transcend them with grace.

Anonymous

FREddy G.

After 7+ years clean & sober and 6+ years of working at The Marina Dock (Thank You Irish Tony) I've had the pleasure of meeting 1000's of wonderful people and making several dear friends. Last week we all lost a dear friend. Freddy G. died in a scooter accident in Australia doing what he loved to do (having FUN and being with Family) I first met Freddy in 1999 @ our 6am group when we still met in the West Room with 10-12 persons. Freddy was living in Palm Springs but always made it to our meeting when visiting his hometown of San Francisco. After a brief absence, Freddy started attending our 'new' 6am meeting in The East Room, which had now grown to 25-35 persons. He immediately lit up the room with his smile, laugh, sense of humor and quick wit and started doing service by purchasing the goodies for our AA birthdays which were the BEST cakes ever !!! Freddy was devoted to his sobriety, friends and Family but was always generous with his time to others in and out of our rooms. He will be missed by all but especially our 6am home group where he was loved by everyone. Until we meet again my friend ... Memorial Services to be announced soon as well as a Celebration of Freddy's Life hosted by our 6am Group at a local beach.

Michael L.

And Finally...

We welcome your letters and comments as well as tax-deductible contributions.

Yours, with Gratitude,