Hi, my name is Elisabeth and I am alcoholic.

I am sober for 27 years February 19th. I will never forget how it was, and what happened that caused me to surrender. A judge who believed in me (and who was the only one left who did) just knew that AA would be my salvation. He was right. I had called AA (at the judge's direction) and within half an hour, three women were at my door to take me to a meeting. I was shocked! I didn't want help that quickly! In those days, we had many Twelve- Steppers who took action NOW. I was so in the grips of the disease that I didn't trust anyone who said that they were sober beyond one day. I didn't think it could be done. I knew I couldn't stop drinking for one whole day. One of these women (her name is Ruth, and she is still my sponsor) took me to a meeting each day. She spent many hours a day with me, walked me through my shakes, my tears, my anger, my fears. I wanted her to go away so that I could drink for just one more day. She kept talking about God, working the Steps, service, surrender, etc., none of which I had any interest in. I didn't want to work that hard! I balked, I objected, I cried some more. And so it went for weeks and months. One day after we started working on Step Six, I realized that my desire to drink had left me. I got off the pity pot, started wanting to go to meetings, working the Steps, walking the talk. Twenty-seven years later it has become a way of life, ONE DAY AT A TIME. I thank God and ALL OF YOU!
God bless, Elisabeth.