What Do I like Best?

Perhaps my favorite thing about the AA program is that besides dealing with the symptom of alcohol addiction, it forces me to address the cause: a fear of responsibility, wanting to run from strong feelings and produce a boozy haze to blur my anger, sadness, joy and shame. Had I been required only to cease drinking, I'm sure I would have slid back in no time; how many times had I tried other programs, systems, and even rehabs without lasting success? As it is, I haven't been sober for all that long, but I know that the urge is gone; difficult as it can sometimes be, I would prefer to be fully present to confront daily difficulties. I know I don't confront them alone. My previous method--escape--didn't cut it, or not for long.