Originally Posted by
Jil 
do you still have those urges to drink, still remember what it feels like and miss it? I know there are ways to cope with it, but it will be so hard if those feelings never fully leave.
AA promises recovery from the urge to drink. Contrary to popular opinion, meetings were not designed as a place to go to extinguish drinking urges, but a place to go for fellowship with people pursuing a common spiritual solution to their common problem.
I do not feel the urge to drink anymore-- it simply doesn't happen. This is not because I've developed coping mechanisms-- those never worked for me long term. It's because I've connected with some sort of relief through the working of the steps...I don't call it God. I simply believe that the work I did allowed whatever spirit that is present in me and wants what is best for me to gain control of my behavior and thinking.
That's a far cry from bible-thumping.