I've seen the books and articles out there that say "quit drinking without A. A." (Alcoholics Anonymous). I have such a different view on the subject I have to share it so that others can consider it.

First, you should know I'm a positive thinking person, so I'll start with the merits. People who try to do things together as a group with support of each other win. Having someone to call every day if you need to is great. It's at some of those really week moments that you've have to have someone who's "feeling strong" tell you what crazy thought you're having if you think you're going to just have a drink on a date tonight. Wrong!

I have a friend, who I would love to find, who is mentioned in my book, who lost the fight that way. Around Thanksgiving he was living in a halfway house doing well, met a girl, had a date. I remember he called me and I was shopping at Publix at the time. I knew right away he was having a difficult time telling this new person in his life that he "doesn't drink" or "quit drinking". The relationship was so new, and he feared she would not want to see him again. It was the holidays, and I'm sure he didn't really want to be alone.

However, it was the second date and she had sent him a text message that said "what do you want to drink?". That alone sent him to the edge. So he called me. My husband and I came up with several ways to avoid it (temporarily) without having to tell her any battle stories. That is the last time I talked to him.

We used to stay in touch from the day (in the book) when we were at A.C.T.S. together and attending a worship service holding each others hands and crying together. That's the day I broke free, and I thought he did too.  For months we stayed in touch, and my husband was kind enough to let me take very personal calls from this gentleman all the time.

The point is that you need support. I'm lucky that my husband quit drinking too, and he did it for me. I don't know how things would have turned out if he were an occassional drinker; I don't think I could have handled it. I would have begged to have a drink or snuck one. I know this drill all too well.

I loved A.A. meetings that revolved around the 12 steps. I became a very strong Christian (you could say born again) and I love it. The bible has many teachings about alcohol. (Also in my book.)

However, there is something that bothers me about going to A.A. meetings anymore. I'd still go, but I've even forgotten what they are about. I'm not even sure I would have anything to add, since I'm not struggling anymore. I have no desire to drink, no daily battle, no questions. I simply quit drinking, as I say so many times, and it's the title of my book. Alcohol is not a part of my life.

Let me put is this way, "I'M SO OVER IT!" I'm so over it I would probably just want to do like the V8 commercial and "knock" someone in the head and say "what are thinking?" "why are you still putting yourself through this?" It's over. You quit. You win. Move on.

So I will have to give one "demerit" unfortunately, although I recommend in the beginning to go to meetings. Probably best that just you just listen and read along. You will learn. The only negative thing I have to say is that it seemed to me at some point to be a "reliving of how bad we feel that we can't drink". I don't want to live that way. 

Do you see people who lost a lot of weight going to meetings and saying "boy, I almost ate a huge piece of cake today, but I didn't!" Wheeewh. That was a close one. Well if you're an AA attendee for life, maybe the dieters should have that too. Get together every week or everyday and talk about how everyone at the office was eating cake and you couldn't have any, and it was sooooo tough. Maybe the dieters like Weight Watchers do that.

Then, let the others tell you you should've done X, Y, or Z, and you're not doing your program right. TO ME, IF YOU DIDN'T EAT THE CAKE, THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS. YOU CAN MISS MEETINGS ALTOGETHER, AS LONG AS YOU DON'T EAT THE CAKE! Likewise, I was told I wasn't doing my program right, and that alone felt weird to me. I thought to myself, "if I'm doing this right, I'm not drinking, and that is all that counts in doing this right."

So, fellow A.A. folks, forgive me for the one demerit, and possibly the majority of AA thinks that was not appropriate for the person to tell me about how I'm not attending enough meetings, I didn't have a "sponsor", etc. (I did try to get a sponsor but wasn't successful. Turns out I quit without one. I was my biggest sponsor.)

My love goes out to everyone, and I pray that if you are struggling or want help, you find it near you. It would be foolish not to try AA. As I said there is a lot of good there! Get copies of all the books, especially the 12 step book. If you want an inspirational story, read mine http://www.simplyquitdrinking.com .

"Don't pick up the bottle" and "Take it one day at a time" and "Repeat that everyday".

God bless you,
Karen Gregg Price

Played: 15 | Download | Duration: 00:01:55