It does help.
I have many regrets from 27 years of booze. I started when I was 14. I had children in my early 20's who are now nearly grown. Somehow my life was kept together enough all those years to raise kids hold a job and live a "life". Looking back I know all of it could have been, should have been, richer, clearer, more meaningful. The sober times were good but usually were spent trying to get thru to the next drink. And I have no excuses. I have no abusive past, no physiological reasons, no phsyciatric reasons, I had good parents, good friends and syblings. I feel like I caused all the trouble I've because of choices I made.
It's good for me to hear others who struggle and care enough to make something better of their lives. I'm only 41, and I feel like I have a whole other life to live. It helps to hear others that have struggled for so long.
God bless.