u/quarketry

I’ve been working on my Step 4 for close to a year now, and feel a little stalled.

In my almost 2 yrs of sobriety and working the AA program, it has been helpful for me to see my self-indulgent and -destructive behaviors as unhealthy expressions of “want”, which my limited understanding of Buddhism says is the root of our suffering.

I’m not a practicing Buddhist, nor is my Higher Power the Buddha (or any other named religious figure for that matter), but this connection between wanting alcohol and therefore suffering intrigues me.

I’m wondering if anyone has utilized the study of Buddhist writings to complement the traditional AA literature as way to understand and perhaps eliminate “want” from their moral inventory?

EDIT 1: I am truly overwhelmed at the contributions of kindness and help from everyone here. It’s never lost on me that Fred Rogers is from here, and it is so true that we should always look for the helpers, because they are always there

I will try and reply to everyone before the day is done, but please know how grateful I am that you all cared to share yourselves with me on this.

Also: I know experiences are mixed with them, but I do need to share my appreciation for PPS, especially Officer R*** M*** from Zone 3 who was really patient and diligent with checking on her wellness at her last known location. She wasn’t there unfortunately.

Where would a female addict “work the street”, perhaps in Slopes esp Arlington Ave area.

Someone has recently relapsed on crack. They are also schizophrenic and off their meds.

They have no money or phone and the dealer has said they are working the streets, as female addicts will have to do.

I am desperately trying to find them and offer to get them to help, and to reconnect them with their family who are in Indiana and aware of what they are doing.

Please be kind, Pittsburgh Reddit. Serious and well meaning replies only.

TIA

PS - on the off chance someone here is familiar with this line of work, this someone is white, currently weighs approx 180 lbs and has brown/purple hair. Street name begins with the letter K.