H
Half Measures:
This
phrase is taken from chapter 5 of the Big Book, 'Half measures availed
us nothing. We stood at the turning point.' It is a reminder that an
'easier, softer way' that tries to short-cut the Twelve Steps won't
bring us the quality of recovery we seek. The phrase also reminds us to
put our sobriety first.
H.A.L.T.:
An
acronym that stands for 'Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired.' It is in
these states when our resolve is the weakest. The acronym reminds us to
always try to avoid these states in order to protect our recovery.
Happy, Joyous
and Free:
The
quotation is taken from chapter 9 of the Big Book, 'We are sure God
wants us to be happy, joyous and free. We cannot subscribe to the
belief that this life is a vale of tears, though it once was just that
for many of us.' To be happy, joyous and free is one of the goals (and
rewards) of our recovery from alcoholism.
High Bottom
Drunk:
An
alcoholic entering AA who has maintained most of the trappings of
'success'; a family, a home, a job, a car, reputation, health, etc..
Almost everyone entering AA has hit some kind of emotional bottom, but
for some the social, legal, or financial bottom may be relatively high.
The more one has managed to retain upon entering AA, the higher his or
her bottom is said to be.
Higher Power:
A
self-defined Power greater than ourselves to which we ultimately turn
for assistance and guidance in our sober lives. In our drinking days,
alcohol was the Higher Power. In sobriety, we choose a different kind
of Power to fulfill our purposes. Since AA is non-sectarian, the
definition of 'Higher Power' is left entirely to the individual AA
member.
Hitting Bottom:
Reaching
such a state of utter hopelessness that we become willing to admit
complete defeat in dealing with our alcoholism. In such a state we
become 'teachable,' and are willing to do whatever is necessary to
achieve sobriety. The bottom we hit at the end of our drinking days is
usually emotional and spiritual. It may or may not involve other
complications such as poor health, financial and legal problems.
Home Group:
The
group that an AA member attends regularly and calls home. Our home
group is our strongest link to the AA fellowship.
Homer:
A
housebound or handicapped AA member. Since homers can attend few AA
meetings, they rely on the Big Book, telephone, or written
correspondence to stay sober.
H.O.W.:
This
acronym stands for Honesty, Open-Mindedness, and Willingness. These are
the keys to recovery. Without openness, we won't listen to the
principles of recovery offered to us. Without willingness, we won't act
on what we hear. And without honesty, we won't see the problems that
have to be faced and overcame for recovery to take place.
Humility:
'Perfect
humility,' Bill Wilson wrote, 'would be a full willingness, in all
times and places, to find and to do the will of God.' 'Without some
degree of humility, no alcoholic can stay sober at all. Nearly all AA's
have found, too, that unless they develop much more of this precious
quality than may be required just for sobriety, they still haven't much
chance of becoming truly happy.' Humility is defined as a 'modest opinion of one's own importance' and much more to the point for the alcoholic, 'a lack of false pride'.
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