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    #1

    The Beast

    Ok, this might be a controversial post, but I genuinely mean no disrespect to anyone.

    A lot of people refer to Alcohol as "The Beast".
    I dont get this.
    To me, alcohol is a man-made liquid poison that innebriates us and is also highly addictive.
    It is not a separate 'being' or 'demon'.

    Surely, it is our own insecurities, our perceived 'failings' in life that make us turn to the bottle in times of need?
    Alcohol doesnt have a voice. It doesnt have a brain. It doesnt have anything that would class it as a living thing at all.

    Personally speaking, it is my own weakness in dealing with the stresses of day-to-day life, as well as depressive tendencies that has made me welcome the numbness that drinking brings.

    Alcohol isnt a 'demon'... If it was, then how come so many people can enjoy the odd sherry at Christmas, and not consistently think "the Beast is coming to get me if I have one drink..." ?

    Putting a label onto alcohol as a living being     is surely just passing the buck?
    Another excuse?

    Just my thoughts...
    And again, I dont wish to cause offence..
    Love,
    Jo

    It is my own outlook on my life that is the problem.... Only I have the power to change it, and there's no way I would blame it on another person, or imagined "being".
    ?I am playing all the right notes... But not necessarily in the right order.....?
    Tags: None
    #2
    The Beast

    Jo, I think that sometimes being able to give our problems a name helps us focus our resolve. I wholeheartedly agree with your outlook upon it (to me alcohol isn't my problem - it is a symptom of my problem), but encourage everyone to look at alcohol however they need to in order to achieve their goals.
    Sobriety Date: June 15, 2007 -- "It's not having what you want, It's wanting what you've got...."

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      #3
      The Beast

      That's a good point AAthlete..
      Whatever it takes to work for an individual is definitely good.
      ?I am playing all the right notes... But not necessarily in the right order.....?

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        #4
        The Beast

        Hasn't alcohol historically been anthromorphized? (did I spell that right?) or described as having life in it? Not to argue, more just that I find it interesting. In Catholic mass, the wine is alive. I remember one of Vlad's posts where the word 'vodka' translates into something that means life.
        I mean, I agree with you, AA, but it is just interesting alcohol's special place in history.

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          #5
          The Beast

          Well, Aunt Flo isn't a living being, but she sure is a pain in the a**! :H
          You, as much as anyone in the universe, deserve your love and respect. ~ Buddha

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            #6
            The Beast

            The Beast concept is taken from another recovery site called Rational Recovery......

            It simply states that there are two distinct personalities or "voices" in our mind. One is the real you that knows what you're doing to yourself is wrong and not in your best interests.....The other is The Beast, which is very irrational and will do anything to get you to drink......"it" doesn't care about your health, family, job, anything.....except getting that next drink.

            The concept is to think about your thinking and learn to identify The Beast thoughts and rationally talk yourself out of taking that first drink.....

            It works for me.....I feel it's easier to fight the battle when the enemy is identified......

            Don

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              #7
              The Beast

              RIVER!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was freakin hilarious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!

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                #8
                The Beast

                and I agree with you Chief. The booze has to have a negative connotation attached to it.

                The Beast
                The Asshole
                The Fuck Up
                The Make you do stupid shit tonic

                whatever....

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                  #9
                  The Beast

                  cke123;447862 wrote: and I agree with you Chief. The booze has to have a negative connotation attached to it.
                  Oh, yes, I agree.
                  when it comes to alcoholics, then yes booze has to have a definitive negativity attached to it.. but my point is that aren't we just 'passing the buck', rather than holding ourselves accountable for our actions?
                  I've been thinking about this for a while now... well, three weeks to be precise, but Im sick of trying to blame my own inadequacies onto a fake "being".. or "demon".

                  However, I DO agree with the point raised that whatever can help make it work for an individual... Hell, yes.. then keep doing it

                  Me, on the other hand... well, maybeI just need to delve deeper.
                  ?I am playing all the right notes... But not necessarily in the right order.....?

                  Comment

                    #10
                    The Beast

                    Why do you think you have inadequacies? That is another way of looking at problem drinkiing, seeing it as a 'beast' is another way. Of the two, I would think the Beast personification is more constructive, but that's just my opinion.
                    And, welcome to the boards!!!
                    Lila

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                      #11
                      The Beast

                      whatever works for you Chelle. I am fine with passing the buck and blaming all my problems on the Beast.

                      Ha ha ha. Only kidding:H

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                        #12
                        The Beast

                        Hi Chelle

                        I agree with you and also with AAthlete.

                        As Chief said, the beast idea is used in the Rational Recovery site. It's the lower brain talking, short-term thinking etc. It's a symbol, not real and I think it helps those aiming for abstinence to demonize it.

                        In reality, there is no beast. I liked another concept mentioned by Bossman. He said we could think of the lower brain needs as those of a moody child. The moody child doesn't think long term, just wants instant gratification.

                        I prefer the child idea because I am reading a lot about Buddhism and developing an accepting view of myself and all its parts. I am also practicing moderation now, for the most part successfully. For me the Beast concept would not work and would be detrimental in fact. Because it still externalizes problems. I can't really live with a beast inside me. I can live with a moody child,or stress, or anger. Those parts are all inside and are crying out to be soothed. The aim is to find a healthy way to soothe them.

                        But as AAthlete says, whatever works for the individual.

                        Nancy

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                          #13
                          The Beast

                          Yeah, but I can kick the shit out of The Beast.....can't do that to a moody child!...

                          Don

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                            #14
                            The Beast

                            Chelle, there is nothing "fake" about our own desires and impulses to drink, or the rationalizing that our minds produce as to why it would be OK to drink. These all arise from inside us. When we use a term like "The Beast," we are placing a name, or label, on those aspects of ourselves that work against our best interests. It helps us be clear about what is, and is not, OK to "listen to" or to act on. When we give those "voices" or impulses a name, it makes it easier to dismiss them.

                            We all have internal struggles, many different and inconsistent urges, desires, impulses. They can resemble "voices." With alcohol dependence, the the "voices" about alcohol are especially strong, and especially dangerous to our mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical health. Anything that helps us to understand that, anything that helps us to learn and practice how to behave in a manner different than what the "voices" are telling us, is helpful.

                            Personally, it makes more sense to me to view those internal urges and thoughts as a very immature part of myself, much like a small child in a grocery store, screaming for candy. She knows she wants it badly, and she is having (sometimes) a great big fit, but she doesn't know how bad it is for her. And I have to be the parent, the strong one, who knows how to say "no" to her.

                            wip

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                              #15
                              The Beast

                              Cross-posting, Nancy. Very much in agreement with you, obviously!

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