Boomer Yearbook

Alcoholism Recovery

By Boomeryearbook.com


A recovering alcoholic in stage twelve of the twelve vital steps has actively withdrawn from addiction and will have made a number of permanent changes in his or her life. Those changes will have incorporated a complete physical and mental overhaul. Attitudes will have been reviewed and adjusted in a process of painful self analysis; reparation for harm done in the past will have been made and in some cases rejected. The alcoholic, even those with elderly problems, will have gone through agonizing physical discomfort to achieve the kind of success that arriving at stage twelve entails.


The process of recovery from alcohol dependency involves utilizing an iron resolve to turn around a life scarred by alcohol and its effect on an addictive personality. The twelve stages taken as an overview are distinguished by admitting to the addiction, making amends for the harm caused to others by the addiction, being firmly resolved to make permanent changes and lastly helping other addicts to stay in recovery.
For many addicts, the key difficulty is the long term resolve required to stay sober and to refuse alcohol despite life’s temptations and the addict’s tendency to turn to alcohol in a crisis. For older addicts suffering with elderly problems, the long term solution can be even harder. Many older recovering alcoholics indulge in the self pity that features an age related condition. Some felt prior to their recovery program that in their twilight years they should be allowed one or two addictions such as smoking, or cheating at cards, or alcoholism.


The determination to stay on track with their recovery and stay resolved enough to be able to help other people with an alcohol dependency is the final and perhaps the most crucial stage of rebirth. Spiritual support is nearly always a help to a recovering alcoholic in the final stages and often an alcoholic who is deeply involved with helping others with an alcohol dependency will experience a more fulfilling final stage than one who concerns himself with his own program and withholds his support.
Older people who are involved in helping other alcoholics are often seen as a parental figure by younger addicts, although as a rule a one to one support role is generally seen as not as beneficial as group interaction. People with more serious elderly problems might also have difficulty retaining information due to forgetfulness.


The final stage of recovery from alcohol addiction is certainly not the end of the story. An addict to alcohol remains an addict for the rest of his life and invariably has a need to return to his support group to talk over issues from time to time.


The light at the end of the tunnel for a recovering alcoholic represents not only sobriety but the ability to successfully interact with others both socially and professionally. The person who emerges from stage twelve knows his (or her) limitations and knows how to help other sufferers of addiction.


Spiritual Rebirth and Sharing it With Other Addicts is part of Boomer Yearbook’s continuing series of baby boomers psychological coaching tips and how to alleviate elderly problems. We believe knowledge is power. We'd love to hear what you think.


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