I Can't say I relate to this thread. I have had a few birthdays and they are always occasions of great gratitude. In our neck of the woods the birthday boy buys a cake for his home group, so my biggest problem is what sort of cake to get.
My attitude to alcohol/recovery seems to be pretty much along the lines of what is promised in the Big Book. Perhaps best summed up in the 10th step promises - "the problem does not exist".
But this wasn't a gift. "A price had to be paid"I worked through the steps as suggested, quickly and thoroughly, witholding nothing, and was blessed with a spiritual awakening.
The obsession was removed and has never returned. This is what was promised, provided I did the work.