I decided to write to Roundabout as I want to pass on the message of Alcoholics Anonymous. The message that was freely given to me promises that if you have a problem with your drinking and have a desire to stop drinking then AA will work, if you want it to.
I know this to be true because I came to AA nearly four years ago and, by the grace of God and the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, I have not lifted a drink since. Only my family and I know how much of a miracle this truly is.
Soon after taking my first drink at fifteen, I was living in a homeless unit which was followed, after my first suicide attempt, by the psychiatric unit. I drank alcoholically from the beginning of my drinking career, experiencing no honeymoon period. I was dependant on alcohol to function in society until the time came when I withdrew into my room at my parents' house, having no desire to take part in the outside world. All I wanted to do was drink, morning, noon and night. I came to Alcoholics Anonymous aged twenty-six, by which time I had lost the greatest instinct a person has - the instinct to survive.
Since coming to AA I have learned to live. I believe that when I started drinking at fifteen I stopped growing up. At twenty-six I was a very immature, scared little girl. All my life I avoided taking responsibility for myself. I always preferred to have family or friends take care of me and make decisions I should have made.
I live a life today that I never thought possible for me. Today I pay bills, do housework, buy messages - simple things that before, I was not capable of doing due to my alcoholism.
I have been blessed with many great gifts since coming into AA from my Higher Power.
I met my husband in AA and we have a relationship based on love and trust (another first for me!).
The greatest gift of all is my desire to take an active part in life again. I no longer go to bed at night and ask God not to let me wake up in the morning. I am no longer frightened when the phone rings - I have the ability to speak to people today. I have lost the inferiority complex that I had all my life. I am able to help people today when, before, I only thought about myself.
I love being sober and I love my life today. God has been good to me.
I am confident in saying that if you want to stop drinking, then Alcoholics Anonymous is the place to go. I was told that AA isn't for everyone who needs it - it's for everyone who wants it!

ANNE
Victoria Primary Monday night group