Freedom From Alcohol

Somewhat over thirty-four years ago, I came to the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. I was sick, hurting, angry, and afraid. I remember so well the first meetings, and how I had to sit on my hands trying to control the shaking--how these people came to me, put their hands on my shoulder, and said, "Don't worry, it's going to be all right." Then they took me aside and said, "We know something you don't know because we have been through it, but if you will do the things we say and accept our help, you will never find it necessary to take another drink." Then they sat me down and talked about themselves and got me to tell a little bit about me. As we sat and talked back and forth, I soon found that I was the same as them, had been through the same things, been in the same places, hurt myself and others the same way. I thought, "My God, I'm never going to need another drink," and to this date that has proven to be true.