I'm Leah, a grateful, recovering alcoholic.

I was around AA for 25 years and nearly died before I began to get "it." I didn't want to do it the way everyone else did. I wanted to do it my way. I had seven years of abstinence from alcohol, a relapse, then another fourteen years dry, but I never found freedom or happiness. I was ruled by fear. A little over fifteen months ago I realized that the only thing I hadn't tried in this program was to follow directions. I didn't want to die, so I found a sponsor and did everything ... and I do mean everything ... she told me to do. I started to get better. There were times I really wanted to drink, but she walked me through the drink. After that, God lifted the compulsion. I moved on to another sponsor who led me through the first three Steps again, and on to the Fourth and Fifth, where my life really turned around. After that I really opened up to a new freedom and a new happiness, and it just keeps getting better and better. The paradox of following directions for me was that I found myself, and have become happy, joyous and free. This program really works. As long as I thought I was unique, I was the only one it wouldn't work for. I finally proved that if it would work for me, it will work for anyone. So give it a try, and follow directions. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain!

(To respond to the sharer, please email DTShare1@aaonline.org and it will be forwarded to them.)