Don't Lose Everything

BECAUSE it seems to be a rarity to hear a speaker discuss the early stages of the disease of alcoholism, I suggest that we who have been helped to recognize the symptoms and to recover before losing our health, loved ones, and self-respect, speak up loud and strong. Early symptoms have now been identified, and it is certainly easier on everyone if they can be recognized, and the problem faced squarely, at this stage of the disease. Some of us hesitate to speak at meetings because we don't have much of a case history, but I wonder if perhaps our cases may not be more important than we think, for they may help someone to reach a decision and save years of unnecessary suffering.