I have not had an alcoholic drink since 1995. (I am not an addict.) I do NOT promote AA, but I have been a regular AA meeting attender since then; and I have done a fairly decent job at doing all of the 12 steps a number of times.

I just found this website, read a few posts. I related to some of the posts and, for some of the posts, have no idea which planet some of these people are on.

I have known people who have died from alcoholism, have even carried a casket, and I know many people who lead extremely successful sober lives.

My experience is that AA, like most organizations, if you want to call it an organization, is not perfect. And, most local AA groups are at least somewhat different ... because they are made up of the many individuals who can and do form their own groups.

If one thoroughly reads the AA website, and all of the literature, you cann easily see that this is a very liberal organization, and that there are actually NO RULES.

(For example, no one has to say that they are an alcoholic. In fact, the 3rd Tradition says "The only requirement for membership is THE DESIRE to stop drinking. Of course, as most of us know, there is no FORMAL membership either.)

Anyway, I "have resigned from the debating society" (This is another one of our cult sayings.) and I believe that RESULTS are the most important.

And, by RESULTS, I mean 5-YEARS plus.

How did you it? How have CONTINUED to stay physically, mentally and emotionally sober?

Thanks

C