Comments on: An open letter to an alcoholic friend http://rickbutts.com/an-open-letter-to-an-alcoholic-friend/ In search of a thing well said Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:56:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Kath L http://rickbutts.com/an-open-letter-to-an-alcoholic-friend/comment-page-1/#comment-2796 Kath L Mon, 05 Apr 2010 18:59:24 +0000 http://rickbutts.com/?p=1924#comment-2796 Thanks Rick, just looked U up on google. God brought me to AA (don't know how, truly a miracle) then AA brought me to God (another miracle, considering I was an atheist). Doesn't matter really, you can get clean & sober in AA no matter what U believe. I was in your bro's pos a number a yrs back, "Leaving Las Vegas, "Barflies" and worse. If he wants to connect w/anyone to talk, go to a mtg, etc., pls feel free to call or email/think U still have my info? Thanks Rick, just looked U up on google. God brought me to AA (don’t know how, truly a miracle) then AA brought me to God (another miracle, considering I was an atheist). Doesn’t matter really, you can get clean & sober in AA no matter what U believe. I was in your bro’s pos a number a yrs back, “Leaving Las Vegas, “Barflies” and worse. If he wants to connect w/anyone to talk, go to a mtg, etc., pls feel free to call or email/think U still have my info?

]]> By: Positive Thought http://rickbutts.com/an-open-letter-to-an-alcoholic-friend/comment-page-1/#comment-2765 Positive Thought Sat, 20 Mar 2010 12:19:15 +0000 http://rickbutts.com/?p=1924#comment-2765 Great inspirational post. Brings tears to my eyes thinking about the state I was in just a little over a year ago, in the hopeless grips of alcoholism and drug addiction. There is hope out there. After 7 trips to rehab, where my surrender was merely conditional, I was finally "forced" into getting sober. Not because other people thought I needed to, or because I was about to lose my job, but because I was in a position where it was either kill myself or get sober. Suicide seemed like the best option at the time, but looking back, I'm so glad that I somehow ended up in AA and miraculously stuck around until the desire to live became greater than the desire to die. AA worked and is working for me, and works for a lot of people. But it isn't the only way. I consider AA to be a vessel to God. I hope your friend is able to see a glimmer of hope in his desperate situation and begin the journey of a sober life. It really is a beautiful way of existence. Great inspirational post. Brings tears to my eyes thinking about the state I was in just a little over a year ago, in the hopeless grips of alcoholism and drug addiction. There is hope out there. After 7 trips to rehab, where my surrender was merely conditional, I was finally “forced” into getting sober. Not because other people thought I needed to, or because I was about to lose my job, but because I was in a position where it was either kill myself or get sober. Suicide seemed like the best option at the time, but looking back, I’m so glad that I somehow ended up in AA and miraculously stuck around until the desire to live became greater than the desire to die. AA worked and is working for me, and works for a lot of people. But it isn’t the only way. I consider AA to be a vessel to God. I hope your friend is able to see a glimmer of hope in his desperate situation and begin the journey of a sober life. It really is a beautiful way of existence.

]]> By: Rick http://rickbutts.com/an-open-letter-to-an-alcoholic-friend/comment-page-1/#comment-2498 Rick Fri, 29 Jan 2010 08:11:03 +0000 http://rickbutts.com/?p=1924#comment-2498 Monsters live in the dark - Dr Phil (who happens to be right a LOT) Thanks for dragging them out into the light - where they can die in reality and begin to heal. Monsters live in the dark – Dr Phil (who happens to be right a LOT)

Thanks for dragging them out into the light – where they can die in reality and begin to heal.

]]> By: Amethyst Wyldfyre http://rickbutts.com/an-open-letter-to-an-alcoholic-friend/comment-page-1/#comment-2495 Amethyst Wyldfyre Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:12:04 +0000 http://rickbutts.com/?p=1924#comment-2495 Rick - thank you for sharing - thank you for honesty, thank you for sobriety. Thank you for transparency. Child of an alcoholic father, child of a borderline personality disordered co-dependent mother Survivor of emotional, mental, physical and spiritual abuse Former cocaine abuser - nearly killed myself more than once Former alcohol abuser - nearly killed myself more than once Twice divorced from husbands who were alcoholic one a dry drunk who transferred his addiction to gambling, the other a "secret" drinker who only drank when he was away and would come home "energetically mucky" finally figured that one out when the drinking "popped through" during a stressful financial time in our life. Sober myself for the last 7 years, no more alcohol, no more drugs. Thank you for the clarity Great Spirit - Clarity is Divinity Some of the things I discovered on my healing journey is how DEEPLY intertwined the "energy" of addiction is with all other aspects of the fabric of our lives. I think you might find my recent post about Jamesons and Sales interesting.... http://amethystwyldfyre.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/what-do-a-hole-in-the-ground-jamesons-sales-my-dad-have-in-common/ Peace is in you.... Love lights us! Amethyst Rick – thank you for sharing – thank you for honesty, thank you for sobriety. Thank you for transparency.

Child of an alcoholic father, child of a borderline personality disordered co-dependent mother
Survivor of emotional, mental, physical and spiritual abuse
Former cocaine abuser – nearly killed myself more than once
Former alcohol abuser – nearly killed myself more than once
Twice divorced from husbands who were alcoholic one a dry drunk who transferred his addiction to gambling, the other a “secret” drinker who only drank when he was away and would come home “energetically mucky” finally figured that one out when the drinking “popped through” during a stressful financial time in our life.
Sober myself for the last 7 years, no more alcohol, no more drugs.

Thank you for the clarity Great Spirit – Clarity is Divinity

Some of the things I discovered on my healing journey is how DEEPLY intertwined the “energy” of addiction is with all other aspects of the fabric of our lives. I think you might find my recent post about Jamesons and Sales interesting….

http://amethystwyldfyre.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/what-do-a-hole-in-the-ground-jamesons-sales-my-dad-have-in-common/

Peace is in you….

Love lights us!

Amethyst

]]> By: Artemis http://rickbutts.com/an-open-letter-to-an-alcoholic-friend/comment-page-1/#comment-2467 Artemis Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:17:33 +0000 http://rickbutts.com/?p=1924#comment-2467 Rick, thank-you for your rigorous honesty. Experience, Strength and Hope are all we have to share. There is no right or wrong only the illness and recovery,. each of us must decide which one it will be. It works if you work it. All the axioms of the 12-Step Programs are magical. the Serenity Prayer has gotten me through many a dark passage. Thanks for sharing. Rick, thank-you for your rigorous honesty. Experience, Strength and Hope are all we have to share. There is no right or wrong only the illness and recovery,. each of us must decide which one it will be. It works if you work it. All the axioms of the 12-Step Programs are magical. the Serenity Prayer has gotten me through many a dark passage. Thanks for sharing.

]]> By: Hueina Su http://rickbutts.com/an-open-letter-to-an-alcoholic-friend/comment-page-1/#comment-2444 Hueina Su Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:33:58 +0000 http://rickbutts.com/?p=1924#comment-2444 Rick, thanks for sharing this intimate and powerful message! I see that you have inspired many others to do the same. My grandpa drank his whole life until he got liver cancer. He quit cold turkey after his diagnosis, but it was too late. The irony is, he was a medical doctor specializing in gastric & liver diseases. He made peace with himself in the end and faced his death with such grace. It was my dad who, also a doctor, went through SO much emotional turmoil watching his own father die and feeling totally helpless... I was 12 at the time watching this all happen. Definitely one of the defining moments and a HUGE life lesson for me. That's why I wrote this story as well as the principle <b>"Practice Detached Involvement"</b> in my book <a href="http://www.HueinaSu.com/book" rel="nofollow"><i>Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul: 7 Keys to Nurture Yourself While Caring for Others</a></i>. As George Bernard Shaw said, "If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance." When we can shine the light on the demons, they lose their powers. Peace, Joy & Blessings to you, my friend! Hueina .-= Hueina Su´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.hueinasu.com/home/http:/www.hueinasu.com/focus-on-your-health-in-2010/" rel="nofollow">Focus on Your Health in 2010</a> =-. Rick, thanks for sharing this intimate and powerful message! I see that you have inspired many others to do the same.

My grandpa drank his whole life until he got liver cancer. He quit cold turkey after his diagnosis, but it was too late. The irony is, he was a medical doctor specializing in gastric & liver diseases. He made peace with himself in the end and faced his death with such grace. It was my dad who, also a doctor, went through SO much emotional turmoil watching his own father die and feeling totally helpless… I was 12 at the time watching this all happen. Definitely one of the defining moments and a HUGE life lesson for me. That’s why I wrote this story as well as the principle “Practice Detached Involvement” in my book Intensive Care for the Nurturer’s Soul: 7 Keys to Nurture Yourself While Caring for Others. As George Bernard Shaw said, “If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance.” When we can shine the light on the demons, they lose their powers.

Peace, Joy & Blessings to you, my friend!
Hueina
Hueina Su´s last blog ..Focus on Your Health in 2010 My ComLuv Profile

]]> By: Tweets that mention An open letter to an alcoholic friend -- Topsy.com http://rickbutts.com/an-open-letter-to-an-alcoholic-friend/comment-page-1/#comment-2438 Tweets that mention An open letter to an alcoholic friend -- Topsy.com Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:07:39 +0000 http://rickbutts.com/?p=1924#comment-2438 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Rick Butts, Eric Graham. Eric Graham said: An open letter to an alcoholic friend - http://b2l.me/d9eek (via @rickbutts) [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Rick Butts, Eric Graham. Eric Graham said: An open letter to an alcoholic friend – http://b2l.me/d9eek (via @rickbutts) [...]

]]> By: Ruth http://rickbutts.com/an-open-letter-to-an-alcoholic-friend/comment-page-1/#comment-2433 Ruth Fri, 22 Jan 2010 02:09:43 +0000 http://rickbutts.com/?p=1924#comment-2433 Rick, Having several in-laws who have battled alcoholism and a younger brother who died from his excesses (drink and drugs), you are right on. The only way out is up - into God's loving presence. AA works because of the spiritual focus and personal support. I pray for peace and healing. Rick, Having several in-laws who have battled alcoholism and a younger brother who died from his excesses (drink and drugs), you are right on. The only way out is up – into God’s loving presence. AA works because of the spiritual focus and personal support. I pray for peace and healing.

]]> By: Pam Wardlow http://rickbutts.com/an-open-letter-to-an-alcoholic-friend/comment-page-1/#comment-2431 Pam Wardlow Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:17:32 +0000 http://rickbutts.com/?p=1924#comment-2431 This letter really touched my heart. Rick I admire your courage to share it with everyone. My son has had some problems with addictions. He was able to overcome the drugs, but the alcohol still has a grip at times. I know he can beat it with the support of family and friends. He made the biggest step when he admited to me and more importantly himself that he definitely has a problem. Don't ever give up on the person you are writing about. Faith is a mighty thing! We all have our breaking points, maybe he just hasn't reached his yet. I wil keep you both in my heart and my prayers. Keep up the good work you have begun. This letter really touched my heart. Rick I admire your courage to share it with everyone. My son has had some problems with addictions. He was able to overcome the drugs, but the alcohol still has a grip at times. I know he can beat it with the support of family and friends. He made the biggest step when he admited to me and more importantly himself that he definitely has a problem.
Don’t ever give up on the person you are writing about. Faith is a mighty thing! We all have our breaking points, maybe he just hasn’t reached his yet. I wil keep you both in my heart and my prayers.
Keep up the good work you have begun.

]]> By: Rick http://rickbutts.com/an-open-letter-to-an-alcoholic-friend/comment-page-1/#comment-2428 Rick Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:12:58 +0000 http://rickbutts.com/?p=1924#comment-2428 Mia - Wendi - Jonathan - you guys rock! Thanks for your awesome words of insight and encouragement. Wendi - I'll be emailing you with my friend's email - and take you up on your generous offer to share your course on how to stop drinking. Thanks so much Mia – Wendi – Jonathan – you guys rock!

Thanks for your awesome words of insight and encouragement.

Wendi – I’ll be emailing you with my friend’s email – and take you up on your generous offer to share your course on how to stop drinking.

Thanks so much

]]>