Controlling with Vodka

Part 2 of the 3 C's of Al-Anon

December 9 Controlling with Vodka

“The only thing worse than a man you can’t control is a man you can.”

-Margo Kaufman

Once I joined Al-Anon, the events that had once seemed so tragic to me gradually became opportunities for genuine humor. To think of all the times I tried to control the alcoholic’s drinking! And I was terrible at it. Absolutely nothing I tried seemed to work.

I was at the store one evening. I was scared to death to leave the alcoholic alone, but I had to get some grocery items. I ventured past an alcohol display and saw a large plastic bottle of vodka. I didn’t even think my alcoholic loved one drank vodka, but I sure used to. I decided to buy the bottle. I was just about 18 months sober at the time. I was sure that if I took this bottle of vodka home and offered it to my loved one, that they would stay and not go to the streets in search of their other addiction.

I laugh today thinking of my big plan. It was not long after that I entered the doors of Al-Anon, this time for good. Of course by bringing the alcoholic the booze I had set off their physical allergy for more. You would think I would know that as an alcoholic. But learning about this disease in another person is a totally different ballgame.

The one thing I learned for sure after this experience is that I cannot control another person’s alcoholism. Nothing I can do or not do can stop the alcoholic’s compulsion to drink. The alcoholic is beyond human aid. They need help from a Higher Power, not a well-meaning loved one.

Today’s Prayer

God, thank you for laughter. Thank you for the ability to look at myself with humor today instead of tragedy. Easy does it!