Hi, I am Chaz, and I am an alcoholic.

I have been sober since April 19, 2005, but first found AA in 1987. 18 years of getting worse, not better. I finally was told by a doctor last year that I had a year to live if I didn't quit. Hepatitis C and a fifth of vodka don't make life better. My health was so bad, I was at a point of wanting to die. So I found an AA meeting online, and did what I was told; get a sponsor, start with Step One. It meant I must quit drinking and ask for help. I am on Step Four now, and see the progression that led me to insanity. After many attempts at getting sober, I see that I never turned my will over. Last August 29, with only 4 months sober, I found myself in Biloxi, Mississippi, at my girlfriend's apartment on the beach. We never got out. We broke into someone's apartment upstairs as the tidal surge came in. That man had over 10 unopened bottles of liquor. asked God for help. Quietly I listened as I watched out the windows. "Help Others!" is all I heard. I didn't drink, and found a meeting two days later after Hurricane Katrina. I joined a homegroup, started doing service work, and life is getting better. I have much gratitude for just being alive. I had a liver biopsy three months ago ... no cirrhosis. Miracles do happen! Thanks all.

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