A double winner is when a person is suffering from any of the diseases of self, whether it be alcoholism, gambling, codependency, sex, etc. They can choose to recover from the disease of alcoholism through AA and recover from their other self-destructive behaviors through Alanon. The combined result is a double winner: one person, two victories, two sets of tools to live happily and joyfully.
If you are an Alanon member and a double winner, you know what it is like to be overwhelmed by the power of addiction. You know what it is like to use the tools of AA to manage your addictive illness.
For over 30 years, the notion that alcoholism was “just a disease” has been challenged by the growing number of double winners who have used their willpower, created their own lives, and conquered their self-destructive behaviors. As a result, many double winners no longer consider themselves “alcoholics”. They take pride in having taken on a new identity: “a double winner. For those who self-identify as double winners, the issues of codependency (or “co-dependence” or “co-dependency”), sex addiction and other self-destructive behaviors are often grouped together in one area of concern.
Not everyone who seeks help with relationship problems should consider themselves a double winner though. Many people find it much easier to identify with either sobriety or addiction and do not want to feel like they have to choose between two sides of themselves. So, how can someone know when they need to choose between sobriety and addiction?
To be a double winner, you must first make the choice to get better. You must be willing to put forth the effort to live a sober life and maintain sobriety. You must follow the steps of recovery with a great deal of dedication and desire to follow these steps until they become a part of you.
If you continue to live life as a double winner, you will achieve two victories in one lifetime: sobriety and recovery (from any other self-destructive behavior). You will be free to do all the things that others do who are in recovery but not addicted to any specific thing. For example, you can travel anywhere in the world without having to worry about being tempted by alcohol or drugs. You can work and play just like anyone else without feeling guilty, shameful, or anxious about using alcohol or drugs again.
If you are looking to attend a virtual double winners meeting check out our online meeting directory.