Amp I agree, merely stopping drinking is not enough. But stopping drinking enables us to view our lives as they are and to grow. Of course, some people find that shining a sober light on their lives is too harsh and they prefer to revert to the darkness of alcoholic oblivion. It takes strength of character to accept ourselves in a sober light and to use our sobriety as an opportunity to give ourselves a future we deserve. By working on our character, on our expectations of ourselves and others, on our spiritual growth, we can make some reparation for our pasts and allow ourselves that future.