The Consequences of Alcoholism:

Because we were painstaking during the insanity of our drinking, we were emotionally bankrupt before we were half way through.  Alcohol, the magic elixir, gave us a new freedom and a new happiness.  We didn't regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it until the morning after.  We comprehended the word, incomprehensible demoralization and knew what hell was.  No matter how far down the scale we had gone, our experiences were always the fault of others.  That feeling of uselessness and self-pity were a constant reminder we needed another drink.  We lost interest in our fellows and gained interest in selfish things.  Self-seeking and manipulation were the cornerstone of our life.  Our whole attitude and outlook upon life were based on delusion.  Fear of people and of economic insecurity left us during blackouts.  We intuitively knew how to create situations that would baffle us when we sobered up.  We suddenly realized that alcohol was doing to us what We would never do to ourselves. 

Are these extravagant consequences? Absolutely.  They are being felt among us - sometimes with shame, sometimes with regret.  All of them will materialize as our alcoholism progresses.

THE NINTH STEP Promises
The Big Book, pg. 83 & 84

If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness and self pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us—sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them.