From "Living to Good Purpose"

The awareness that I was an alcoholic came gradually, through identification with the stories that were shared, and through the recognition that my life was getting better. The only thing that had changed was that I wasn't drinking and my life began to improve. I became aware that I was an alcoholic at about six months of sobriety. I was terrified. I thought that if I was alcoholic, if I was powerless over alcohol, I'd have to drink again. That fear launched me into willingness to attempt the other Steps.