Thank you. I'm new here, but not new to good meetings and step work. I belong to a group who insists on it.
When I was first sentenced to AA, I was 18 years old and was encouraged to go from the detox over to the treatment center. I did not want to go because, after all, it would mean I'd have to spend my New Year's in there. That was not an option. But when I found out I'd lose my college funding if I didn't, I reconsidered. So I got a Big Book, read it like a novel and put it away for 10 years.
Ten years later, I got sentenced to AA again and went to meetings and tried to get and stay sober. It was 4 long months going to meetings before I went up to a guy who seemed to know what he was talking about. He was the first person to finally ask me that inevitable question; what brings you here? What do you drink like? How is it with you and booze?
I was taken aback because I was so used to people telling me I was an alcoholic because... So long story short, I had a first step problem.
So after hearing embellished war stories over and over and over again, I started to identify with some people here and there speaking their truth.
To be an alcoholic, it's simple
- Can't control the amount you drink once the craving is activated; some say that's usually two or more drinks.
- Can't stay stopped based on what's right, necessary, prudent, etc.
The hard drinker can match the alcoholic drink for drink and even get locked up and/or die before their time; but in the end, they can stop or moderate given a sufficient reason.