--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: On December 11,1934, Wilson’s drinking…" description: "\"“On December 11,1934, Wilson’s drinking came to a screeching halt. On that day he was readmitted to Towns Hospital, sedated, and subjected to Dr. Silkw..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d8/charles-bufe-40675_spiritual-awakening_on-december-11-1934-wilson-s-drinking-ca_1510559.jpg" --- # On December 11,1934, Wilson’s drinking came to a… ![“On December 11,1934, Wilson’s drinking came to a screeching halt. On that day he was readmitted to Towns Hospital, sedated, and subjected to Dr. Silkworth’s “belladonna cure,” a treatment regimen which included morphine and other psychoactive drugs in addition to belladonna (which in large doses…” quote by Charles Bufe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d8/charles-bufe-40675_spiritual-awakening_on-december-11-1934-wilson-s-drinking-ca_1510559.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d8/charles-bufe-40675_spiritual-awakening_on-december-11-1934-wilson-s-drinking-ca_1510559.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d8/charles-bufe-40675_spiritual-awakening_on-december-11-1934-wilson-s-drinking-ca_1510559.jpg) > ““On December 11,1934, Wilson’s drinking came to a screeching halt. On that day he was readmitted to Towns Hospital, sedated, and subjected to Dr. Silkworth’s “belladonna cure,” a treatment regimen which included morphine and other psychoactive drugs in addition to belladonna (which in large doses is a powerful hallucinogen).5 While under the influence of the “cure,” Bill Wilson experienced his “spiritual awakening.”” [Charles Bufe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bufe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A severe treatment led to a profound spiritual experience for Wilson. **In simple terms:** A harsh cure sparked a spiritual awakening. Key Takeaway Recognize that crisis can catalyze growth. Themes addiction spirituality recovery Mood hopeful somber Type historical inspirational When to use this quote - rehab - religious conversion - medical treatment - personal transformation Key Concepts psychology neuroscience Questions to Reflect On - Can suffering lead to insight? - What are ethical limits of such treatments? A Different Perspective The “cure” was dangerous and not universally effective. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Spiritual awakening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-awakening/) ## Related quotes > [There were a number of books about Bill Wilson, and by him, but a lot of the basic biographical tasks had not been done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cheever/there-were-a-number-of-books-about-bill-wilson-and-by-him-but-a-lot/) [Susan Cheever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cheever/) > [“The problem with organized religions, Bill Wilson once explained, "is their claim how confoundedly right all of them are.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-kurtz/the-problem-with-organized-religions-bill-wilson-once-explained-is/) [Ernest Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-kurtz/) > [“In 1935, when there were no other programs, the founders of AA, Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Smith, stepped up to the plate and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/in-1935-when-there-were-no-other-programs-the-founders-of-aa-bill-2/) [Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/) > [“In 1935, when there were no other programs, the founders of AA, Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Smith, stepped up to the plate and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/in-1935-when-there-were-no-other-programs-the-founders-of-aa-bill/) [Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/) > [The program of A.A., as written by Bill Wilson and Dr. Smith, only has one purpose: to get you sober. That's it. To make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cheever/the-program-of-a-a-as-written-by-bill-wilson-and-dr-smith-only-has/) [Susan Cheever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cheever/) > [“...the founders of our nation were nearly all Infidels, and that of the presidents who had thus far been elected { George Washington ,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bird-wilson/the-founders-of-our-nation-were-nearly-all-infidels-and-that-of-the/) Bird Wilson > [“...each part of a story, each word if possible, was to work frontally as well as laterally... ("Conveyance: The Story I would Not Want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-s-wilson/each-part-of-a-story-each-word-if-possible-was-to-work-frontally-as/) [William S. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-s-wilson/) > [“Comparisons deplete the actuality of the things compared... 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