© 2002 by Perfect Brightness L.L.C. All Rights Reserved.

        Hi! My name is Phil. I am an alcoholic and an addict—an LDS alcoholic and addict. In July 1979, after yet another drinking binge, I wrote a note in the Book of Mormon that I had used for the previous seven years as a full-time seminary teacher for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: “July 7, 1979—I am coming Home! I bring experience that may assist in building God’s Kingdom on Earth. May I do so with all of Heaven's help.” A year later I added, “July 1980 came and went; sadly, little has changed.” With the passing of each July, I wrote next to the previous entry the record of another year addicted to alcohol. In July 1984, I gave up on this futile ritual by adding a final remark: “July ‘81, ‘82, ‘83, and ‘84 have passed and so much has changed—all for the worse.”
        During my years of active alcoholism, I lost everything of value—family, church, employment, self-respect, and hope. Somewhere along the way, I began reaching out to recovering alcoholics through the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. Persisting in following their advice by working a few simple, although not easy, steps, I began to feel small changes in the way I handled my life. Hope began to reappear.
        Although this story is primarily that of an alcoholic, my drugs of choice and addictions varied along the journey. The term “drug of choice” usually refers to something one ingests but can also apply to other compulsive behaviors. Once these behaviors get out of control, they can be described using the term “-holism.” I define a “-holic” as anyone who engages repeatedly in destructive behaviors—spiritual, physical, or emotional. These include but are not limited to alcoholic, chocoholic, chewaholic, complainaholic, foodaholic, negaholic, pornaholic, sexaholic, spendaholic, smokeaholic, sportsaholic, sodaholic, workaholic, and so on. We live in an addicted society. Addiction is linked to a multitude of behaviors with varying degrees of compulsion. Alcohol, anger, caffeine, controlling others, criticism, food, gossip, Internet, pornography, pride, shopping, television, tobacco, videos and video games, work, and illegal and prescription drugs are just a few of the drugs of choice through which addictions are manifest. Advertisers know that if they can sell products that are addictive, repeated sales are guaranteed.2
        Stop and think. How many people do you know who are not addicted to something? Do you know someone who is addicted to coffee or cigarettes or food or gossiping or power or pride or soap operas or shopping or sugar or sodas or work or worrying? A completely non-addicted individual is rare. To a lesser or greater extent, many of us go forth daily depending on our own drug of choice.
        Do you have a drug of choice? Are you addicted to a substance or habit and harming yourself (and others) through compulsive behavior—or do you care for someone else who is addicted? This story can help you find the peace you are seeking. It is a testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ as The Physician. This story testifies that His love is manifested freely in the atmosphere of Alcoholics Anonymous and other Twelve-Step programs such as Narcotics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous and LDS Substance Abuse Recovery Groups. This book testifies that all people, addicts included—when loved and fellowshipped—can become respected, contributing members of their faith, synagogue or church.
        As you open your heart to my story, you will experience vicariously what it is like to be an addict. You will feel the pain and despair of being trapped in an endless loop of addiction. Your heartstrings will be tugged! But, I promise that you will also feel the pure love of Christ. Compassion, born of understanding, will increase! Most of all, you will come to understand that an incredible power to overcome compulsive-addictive habits becomes available when you simply surrender your will and your life to a caring, loving and merciful Heavenly Father.

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.”
—The Book of Mormon. 2 Nephi 31:20.

  S.