A Beginner's Story

I realized I had a problem with alcohol when I tried to stop—or even slow down—my drinking. To me, the problem was other people's attitudes about me when I drank. The only time I felt comfortable and happy was when I drank. It made me feel like I was a part of things, and not an outsider. Why were people mad at me when all I was trying to do was feel OK? It made me angry that they criticized me, that they were trying to take away the only thing I had to help me feel less alone and less unhappy about myself.