The games of Angry Birds and Angry Words are both frustrating and fascinating time drains. Whether you are a wet alcoholic (still drinking) or a dry alcoholic (not drinking or in recovery), you are probably dealing with anger daily. Often it feels like ‘level failed’! Angry birds attack the green pigs and angry people bombard the life of the alcoholic who is not in recovery. Somewhat cluelessly, the typical alcoholic feels indignant about those attacks.
Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity, we step on the toes of our fellows and they retaliate. ~ Alcoholics Anonymous 2011, p 62
One of the obvious parallels in being an alcoholic not in recovery and being an Angry Bird or hiding pig is that no resolution is happening. Things are falling apart, characters are being obliterated and there’s a lot of noise!
Our homes have been battle-grounds many an evening. ~ Alcoholics Anonymous 2011, p 105
Towards the end of my drinking, I was angry more of the time, than not. I vacillated from grousing to tantrums. I don’t think I hardly ever laughed. I did look a little like those angry birds. I indiscriminately launched myself at people I loved and at total strangers.
The pigs don’t appear to get angry, they just protect themselves. I’m not saying stealing eggs is OK, but neither is wrecking homes.
You know how baby birds cry a lot of the time? I’ve noticed around the tables, whether AAs or Al-Anons, the newbies usually are characterized by their squawking angry sound. I know taking cover is a better strategy, but being a natural fighter, I always want to confront them in mid-trajectory by flinging the 12×12 or the Big Book. I can tell you from experience that doesn’t work.
Angry newbies who stick with the meetings will eventually either choose the program and start working the steps or just reject the help and continue to hope the fellowship of the program will be their solution. What happens is that those who refuse the steps keep squawking! (Like the pigs, I want to hide.)
It will become more and more evident as we go forward that it is pointless to become angry, or to get hurt by people who, like us, are suffering from the pains of growing up. ~ Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions 2011, p 92
I couldn’t have said it better. The AA Steps teach us that it’s pointless to be the angry bird, attacking everyone; or the cowering pig, afraid of being hurt.
PS: There are some strategies that work with the angry birds. Keep comin’ back.
Good Life 
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