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Old 10-21-2009, 01:56 PM
  # 22 (permalink)  
keithj
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,095
Originally Posted by lovinmenow View Post
I am so ashamed. Who else but drunks buy booze at 8am?
Lovinmenow,

I don't know who else buys booze at 8am. But I do remember many, many times when I'd load up my little 4 year old in the car, rushing him along, so I could make the drive to the store and be at the checkout counter right when they could legally start selling. Had the timing down to an art. Of course, it was always under the pretext of needing milk or something else for breakfast. Then I'd chug down the first couple in the car before we even left the parking lot.

The shame and guilt I felt can't be overestimated.

I don't feel that same shame and guilt today over those reckless actions. In fact, I use those actions as a way to help other alcoholics identify with their own problem. I've shared much of my own darkest 4th step secrets with newcomers in order to help them. To the extent that I am possible, I've turned my shameful past into an asset.

Originally Posted by AA Big Book, 1st Ed.
...the dark past is the greatest possession you have-the key to life and happiness for others. With it you can avert death and misery for them.
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