Originally Posted by AA Big Book 1st Ed.
After they have succumbed to the desire again, as so many do, and the phenomenon of craving develops, they pass through the well-known stages of a spree, emerging remorseful, with a firm resolution not to drink again. This is repeated over and over, and unless this person can experience an entire psychic change there is very little hope of his recovery.
When I got sober, the last thing in the world I wanted was a psychic change or spiritual awakening. But I saw that it worked in others. They were staying sober and were successfully facing life. I was repeating this cycle over and over, doing counseling, treatment, rehab, everything I could, and getting drunk after a few months.
I became willing to do what they had done because I saw the futility of what I was doing. I asked for help. I was shown what they had done (the 12 Steps), and I did that to the best of my ability at the time. I've never had to drink since, and my life has been full beyond my expectations.