[Ago]

Thanks DK,

I just reread this whole thread, and I thought I would add some, what I think, very important distinctions.

First: I couldn't get sober and stay sober if I always had a "story" I drink because (insert story here) or I am different because (insert story here that makes me unique)

I sponsored a guy who couldn't "get it" because he would say "I'm an alcoholic but since I am an "artist" (insert long story about how he was different and not everything applied to him because he was an "artist" and he was "different" and he "suffered more then ordinary people" because he "was an artist"

He hung himself a few years ago, and in my opinion, it's because he could never let go of the "I'm different and here's how"

There's a woman I know who ends every other sentence with "because I am a musician" and 6 years into the program, she's sicker then she's ever been, once again, just my opinion, it's because she keeps that "escape clause" open and active that stuff doesn't "apply to her and she's different and here's how"

For me, I didn't "get better" until I just admitted to myself that I was just "an alcoholic" and I did what "they" told me, my way didn't work so I was desperate enough to try anything, and surprisingly enough, what "they" said to do worked, it really did.

I mean I had to "address" the "other stuff" but I had to leave it out of dealing with my alcoholism.

My name is Andrew and I am an alcoholic.

that's it. that's the whole story. that's why I drank. If I admit that, I can address that, it becomes very simple and it gives me the power to take charge of my own recovery.

I have friends that if they stop taking their meds, fish talk to them and tell them that they are God...they do this deal the same way as I do, and their "outside stuff" becomes "part of their story" but for me, I didn't "get better" until I "let go" of all my "stories" and all the stuff that "made me different, special or unique.

I'm treading on what I consider thin ice, and going over into "your side of the street" with this, and I apologize, but in my opinion it's that important, this is literally life and death, I've come to "like" you via your posts, and you saving your life is more important to me then you "thinking AGO is a nice guy".

Hang in there kid, and keep us updated.