Alcoholism led me to AA and specifically to the 12 Steps, which help me get in touch with my higher power, and that's pretty cool
The fellowship teaches me to practice tolerance, empathy, understanding, not judging people according to appearance/socioeconomic status/etc, because we're all just drunks really with a common experience that transcends all that garbage.
There's pain with alcoholism but an integrity that comes with rebuilding life and starting over.
I may have avoided a lot of pain if I wasn't an alcoholic (doubt it, though, cause that's just life) but I also wouldn't be the person I am today and I like that guy.
I guess I'm just making lemonade