Lend a helping hand?

I love when you dig deep down in articles and there's a more interesting truth there. A study just came out that says alcoholics who help other alcoholics are more likely to stay sober. "Helping others in the program of AA has forged a therapy based on the kinship of common suffering and has vast potential." There's tons of evidence that giving back does as much or more good for you than it does for the cause you're supporting. AA encourages everyone to help other alcoholics, even if it's just making coffee at a meeting.

But then you look at the statistics. "...the investigators determined that 40 percent of the alcoholics who helped other alcoholics during their recovery successfully avoided drinking in the 12 months following three months in chemical dependency treatment, whereas only 22 percent of those that did not help others stayed sober. "

40%. Less than half of the alcoholics who helped others stayed sober. So if you turn it around, 60% of people who help other alcoholics don't stay sober. That's huge. It means you can be in the "middle" of the pack, doing all your service work and sponsoring people, and you can still be struck down by this disease. No one is safe.

That's why there are so many aspects to the program. You have to do the steps. You have to reach out to others for help, not just to help. Those phone numbers are there for a reason. AA is a multi-faceted program of recovery, and it demands your full attention. They say put sobriety first. "First things first."

I'm in no way saying helping is bad. Helping is awesome. Where would we be without sponsors or people to listen to us? Nowhere. People who help other alcoholics are essential to the survival of the individual. So go get that service position. Go talk to a newcomer or give them a ride to a meeting. But don't forget to reach out to someone and ask for help for yourself.