THE ESSENCE OF A.A.:
H.A.L.T.!
H
=DON'T GET TOO HUNGRY
For a reason we cannot explain, there seems to be in the alcoholic a peculiar psycho-physical relationship between hunger and the urge to drink. On some occasions, we would eat a dinner and then find it had literally destroyed our desire to drink afterwards. Conversely, and eventually more often, we avoided eating because it would interfere with our drinking. Years ago, my sponsor told me that if I had a physical urge to take a drink, I should go out of my way to drink a milk shake. If this didn't work, he said drink another. And another. I can testify that if you drink liquor on top of two or three milk shakes, you are not an alcoholic. You're nuts! And so, when you are hungry, eat. Simple and important.
A
=DON'T GET TOO ANGRY
Wow! Of all things to tell an alcoholic. But we don't have to be on the program very long to realize that anger, righteous or not, is better left to those who can handle it. Borrowing from Father John Doe: "Let the other guy get mad! If somebody calls me a S.O.B., either I am or I ain't. If I am, so what? And if I ain't, why should I make myself one by getting mad about it?" We can't afford to get angry--especially with people. Kick the wall or the TV if you will, but "Let the other guy get mad!" We know to well where anger leads; to resentment! And brother, do we know what resentment brings! Rule of thumb? Well, as the young folks say in this age, "Cool it, baby. Cool it."
L
=DON'T GET TOO LONELY
Nonalcoholic members of the psychiatric profession tend to equate loneliness with boredom, and we are inclined to agree. If there is one thing that must be included n the alcoholic's life before he can once again become whole, it is worthwhile activity. This may be Twelfth Step work, his vocation, his avocation, or anything else. But we feel such activity must be present in order to fulfill his existence and eliminate loneliness. We must also consider the loneliness brought about because the newcomer lives alone. But this is easily rectified. It takes only a phone call or a visit to an A.A. oriented club. Or, for the A.A. loner, far from other members, the Big Book or a letter to an A.A. pen pal. Loneliness is the mother of self-pity, and the ultimate end is resentment and drinking. The rule of thumb? DO SOMETHING!
T
=DON'T GET TOO TIRED
In its effect, the last ingredient of direction in our rule is not too different from the first. Physical fatigue will affect both our bodies and our minds adversely and will thereby lower our defenses against the urge to drink if there is any possibility at all such as desire being present, consciously or subconsciously. And here the rule of thumb is: "When you get tired, put the body down!" (How many times have we read and said EASY DOES IT?)
From the A.A. Grapevine, date, issue unknown.