Hi, I'm Patsy, an alcoholic.

Wishing to belong has been with me for 40 years, but it was a desire that was never reached until now. I drank to belong, I did drugs to belong, I had sex to belong, but I never really belonged or if I felt like I did, it was short lived. I just never fit in, no matter how much I tried. I always felt like I was different. I felt like my past was different from everyone else's. I felt like there was no one who would ever understand where I came from or how I was feeling. So I gave up trying to belong and withdrew within myself, drinking more so I didn't have to face the loneliness or isolation. I was running from life, and wishing that life would just hurry up and end. Then someone introduced me to AA. I was scared to death, and planned on not saying a word when I got here. I wouldn't even say "Hi." I felt as if AA was just another place where I would "belong" for a time, and then won't fit in anymore. So I didn't want to get too attached because I wasn't staying. Boy! Was I wrong! I started listening to people when they shared and found out an amazing thing: there are people here who have gone through similar abuse as I did; people who had stories similar to mine. Slowly, I learned that people here in AA did understand my fears, my mistrust, my drinking habits, and my past. They understood! But it was more than that. They accepted me. You took me in, and told me to stick around ... that it would get better, and promised to show me how to make it better. You took a very frightened person and taught her how to trust, how to talk, and more importantly, taught her that she was no longer alone, that I truly belonged and could stay! This is an amazing gift, and I thank my Higher Power and all of you for my sobriety. Thanks for giving me a home!

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