[nandm]

Rufus, this passage has always been special to me as it accurately describes where I was by the end of my drinking. It still sends shivers down my spine and many emotions to the surface to read it. It so well puts into words how I felt. Thank you for again posting a great passage.

Some thoughts on this passage:

We are not anti-alcohol, anti-drinking, or anti-anything. People who are able to control their drinking have no need to abstain. We do not concern ourselves whatsoever with anyone else's decision to drink or not.

One old timer said that "Once we are pickled, we can never be cucumbers again." The truth of this statement has been borne out in the vast experience of A.A. members. Once we lose our ability to control our drinking, it is gone forever.

We experience terror that we are out of control, bewilderment that despite our firm resolve we have gotten drunk again, frustration that our willpower can not bring about the life that we desire, and despair that we will ever rise out of the mire into which we are sinking.