We're All In The Same Boat

I noted that you intend to print articles about relapse in the March 2006 issue of the Grapevine. I have some thoughts on this matter. My first contact with AA was in December 1957. I have not had a drink of alcohol since that time. I have encountered some old-timers who take a perverse pride in the fact that they have not had a drink since their first contact. It is my contention that we have all relapsed. Almost without exception, everyone, I have listened to had made some attempt to stop drinking prior to their introduction to AA. Most of us tried to stop drinking many times prior to finding AA. We tried hospitals, churches, witch doctors, etc., but none of them helped. We always returned to drinking.