I see your line of thought........for me it was ego related..
Even after all id been through...and when i first got sober...
And AA was mentioned.....i remember thinking.......ahhh..really.
Alright my drinking was a problem.....but AA....Thats for "them"
Thats the final option right?.........surely not........
Ha ha makes me laugh when i think about it......its difficult to see how my drinking could have been much worse...
And there was no more options.........i avoided AA for a Short time..and got drunk.
I am a chronic alcoholic....i say it....doctors said it....took a while to deflate the ego and accept it...
Apart from AA meetings....and my private thoughts...i dont mention it.
I just dont drink....the vast majority of people i come into contact on a normal working week have no idea im alcoholic.
It doesnt even get mentioned at home anymore.....i just dont drink.
I come on sr........last night i did some bb reading....tonight im off to a meeting...
And it doesnt really.....come up in my house....i just do what i do.
My alcoholism is all about ME and doesnt involve anyone else.
I do "my thing"........and it doesnt really come up in my normal every day life involving anyone else.
I think there is a stigma involved with alcoholism.........its seen as a weakness
Thats why anonymity is vital i think....for the would be AA member.
Does that stigma keep people out there drinking.........for sure..imo.
Im glad you have found your way of staying sober.....and i have deep respect for that.
I dont feel any shame or guilt for being an alcoholic.....these days.
Yes......maybe it would be great if the public perception changed towards alcoholism but i dont think that will be in my lifetime.
but i do think the public perception will change towards smoking in my lifetime.
it already has......people are starting to frown when i spark up a cig........
good wishes to you..trucker