In this insightful exploration of Step 1 from the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book, Joe McDonald delves into the perils of self-medication. Reflecting on the passage, Joe highlights how easily individuals can be caught in the cycle of addiction, often exacerbated by attempts to manage symptoms with other substances like Valium or Ativan.

Joe humorously recounts, “The doctor thought you may have had a little Valium deficiency. If you’re a serious enough drinker, they’ll treat your Valium deficiency every once in a while.” He points out how this approach, rather than alleviating the problem, often leads to quicker and more severe health declines, encapsulated in the phrase, “Better living through chemistry.”

Joe’s discussion sheds light on the broader issue within recovery communities where the focus sometimes shifts too narr ...