I am happy to learn that you have been so far favored by the Divine Spirit as to be made sensible of the things which are hurtful to you and particularly that you and they see the ruinous effects which the abuse of spirituous liquors have produced upon them. It has weakened their bodies, enslaved their minds, exposed them to hunger, cold, nakedness and poverty, kept them in perpetual broils and reduced their population.

President Thomas Jefferson  "Letter to Handsome Lake"

"What you say about the general hopelessness of the average alcoholic's plight is, in my opinion, correct. As to two of you men, whose stories I have heard, there is little doubt in my mind that you were 100% hopeless, apart from divine help. Had you offered yourselves as patients at this hospital, I would not have taken you, if I had been able to avoid it. People like you are too heartbreaking. Though not a religious person, I have profound respect for the spiritual approach in such cases as yours. For most cases, there is virtually no other solution."

Once more: The alcoholic at certain times has no effective mental defense against the first drink. Except in a few rare cases, neither he nor any other human being can provide such a defense. His defense must come from a Higher Power.

Big Book  pg. 43

Manitou, thank you for the healing. Today we have the gift of sobriety.