Hi Stength, I am pretty new to sobriety and going to meetings but want to tell you I totally relate to your last post. Just to hear the similarities in 'our' stories at meetings puts everything into perspective. We are not as unique as we once thought, are we? And the relief we get when we finally say out loud in front of people "I am an alcoholic". Just last week after not having anything to say at prior 2-3 meetings I raised my hand and said "Hi, I am Patrick and I am an alcoholic" and that was it, just had to say it and sure enough it made me feel much better inside. Key is to keep going, no set time period, not a life sentence, just as long as you are staying sober and getting or 'giving' something from meetings it will be worth every minute spent in the rooms(and outside the rooms with new friends if you choose).
Great job
Patrick