I am not an expert on AA or on the 12 Steps of AA and while I believe that AA works for some people, it is definitely not the answer for all alcoholics. As an alcoholic trying to overcome alcoholism, the first recommendation seems to be, “Go to Alcoholics Anonymous”, and why not? It is a worldwide organization that has helped thousands of people. AA has helped people I know recover from alcoholism, and many swear by it. I simply can’t get my head or heart around it.
The first problem I have with AA is having to go to group meetings. I hate group meetings. I don’t like talking about myself in front of strangers. I don’t like hearing everyone’s personal problems and I don’t like hearing countless drinking stories, life stories, or sob stories from people I don’t know or don’t necessarily even want to know. It is not just AA, I simply don’t like group meetings.
I don’t want to admit I am an alcoholic because admitting I am an alcoholic is an admission that I lack moral fiber, that I am weak, that I am unlovable, that I have major character flaws. I don’t want to believe any of those things. It is too painful. Alcohol makes me someone else though, it makes me thoughtless, it drives away friends and family, it makes me weak and it makes me stupid. 