After a year and a half in the program, four months of sobriety, and working steps one through five, I began abstinence from a major trigger for me: television and movies.

One of the first things that I noticed about TV abstinence was my freedom from isolation. Even though my ten-year-old was in the room, I would be off (and isolating) in my TV fantasy world. H.P. has shown me the alternatives to television and movies, which are limitless and for me joyous.

TV abstinence has also taught me tolerance for the entertainment industry. After viewing certain TV programs, I would become resentful and angry. This made as much sense as grumbling about stingy bartenders or greedy alcohol manufacturers. The problem was my own personality defects.

Because of my own powerlessness over this trigger, I needed help. I asked someone to sponsor me in my journey toward abstinence from television. My TV sponsor told me that I needed to find a replacement for TV; so, to my surprise, H.P. led me to become a local Humane Society volunteer. Before my SA sobriety I hated and feared being near any animal. Now I love taking care of the strays and I’m good at it.

Abstinence has also given me the time to broaden my recovery. I’m not an alcoholic, but I now have time to read more AA Conference-approved literature, such as Living Sober and Daily Meditations. I also find that I have more free time for journaling and meditation.

My family life has enjoyed a complete turnaround. I’m a much better parent.

What I miss the least from TV is those TV hangovers. For those of you who don’t have a problem with TV, the TV hangover is the emotions felt and the involuntary memory recall experienced the day after watching TV or seeing a movie. It’s not a real fun experience, I can assure you.

At the July Conference in Chicago, there was a session on TV as a trigger, and it was a powerful meeting. This session is available on tape. A phone list of over thirty people who wish to investigate TV abstinence was developed and is available from the SA Central Office.

A miracle! My TV abstinence date was March 31, 1996, until I gave in to a virtual reality experience (it was a virtual reality exercise machine, of all things) on August 3rd. I am looking forward to a lifetime free from TV, movies and virtual reality, one day at a time, by the grace of my Higher Power.