Originally Posted by
uncorked 
I got Many times we don't even talk about drinking/using. It's more about being able to deal with all of life's issues and curveballs in a healthy manner -- without using our crutch of choice. After all, that's why many people drink....to numb out or cope with problems. .
If you go to an AA meeting and all they talk about is drinking (the problem) and not the solution, then it's time to explore some different meetings. Yes, there will often be newcomers and other poeple in the room who need to touch base with some identification and mentioning what the problem was can be helpful for that, but no one drives on to happier places only by looking in the rear view mirror. Full on drunkalogues have very limited value without the hope and strength that can come with it when people share what changed and how life gets better through that change.
Luckily for me, I've now got some very healthy meetings that I can attend which are solution focussed, and I avoid the unhealthy ones like the plague.