Yes, You're an Alcoholic

WHEN A NEWCOMER is wondering about that important question "Am I (of all people) an alcoholic?" and when he (or she) asks my opinion and maybe is half-hoping to be let off the hook, I can't lie and say I don't know. For the sake of my own little bit of self-honesty and for my own Twelfth Step, I feel obliged to give an honest opinion. That newcomer may have only the tiniest, littlest bit of willingness, self-honesty, and openness. He may very well be asking my permission to be an alcoholic.