Over the years I have worked with alcoholics and addicts in a variety of settings—psychiatric hospital, residential treatment center, jail-based substance abuse program, outpatient clinic, and a DUI program. In all of these settings I have observed a consistent problem with my clients. I recognize this problem as something I have struggled with over the years. The problem is making a decision and then changing my mind later. Sometimes it is a week later or a month later but often it was a day later or even later the same day.
What I am talking about is a lack of commitment. Making a decision and then reevaluating the details and changing the decision with every new piece of information that comes along. In recovery you have to be committed to following through with your decision to stay clean or sober. "No matter what, don't drink."
Many of us need to learn what it means to be committed to a decision. Until we learn this we will never have good quality, healthy, sobriety. Step 3 says, "made a decision to turn my will and my life over to the care of God as we understood him." This step doesn't work if later that day I am changing my mind and taking my will back.
We have to learn that following through with our commitment is the only option. There is no other possibility that will get me to healthy recovery. Once I make the decision there is no turning back—that is, if I want to stay sober.
Turning my life and my will over to God is my final answer.
Blessings
Tim
