Without a doubt the AA fellowship saved by butt. I wasn't just a drunk, I was INSANE.  I needed guidance, I needed people to tell me I wasn't alone and to show me a path to healthier living.  Truthfully, I owe the fellowship of AA my life.  

However, I agree with Oldheathen, it wasn't the AA Big Book that did the trick for me, if anything it hindered my progress, because the Big Book insists on people believing in their God and it also states that as an alcoholic you will NEVER recover.  Thus, the only way I could get through the AA program is to create my own 12 Steps, and it worked for me.  

I know you don't need to follow the AA program exactly as it is written to recover, I am living proof of that.  However, if the Big Book is working for you ...embrace it with all you have. (smile)

I still get condemned for not following the AA program as some think I should.   To these people I say...get a life and get out of mine.   Because the truth is...  as Gube says..."Whatever works for you"  is how you should work the program. 

 Oldheathen you stated that you lost faith in AA because no god would take away the desire for long............................. I too struggled with staying sober for years. Often blaming god for not taking the obsession to drink away. I would go 2 or 3 months sober and bang the obsession would return and out I would go. For me it finally came down to one thing......And that one thing was I was done. IT had nothing to do with god or AA. God or AA can not get me or keep me sober. I had to get to a point where I wanted to be sober. And I have. Now I do attend AA regularly and it has helped me greatly in learning how to live life productive and sober. Also you said that you heard Evey excuse in the book as to why you would fail......can you elaborate? And you are right about what ever works for you.....Thats the key .

I couldent agree more awsmom8. Congrats to you on your lifestyle choice! You saw trouble and headed it off at the pass, so to speak lol.

You learned the lesson drink is a choice. We can't help liking something but we have the choice if we do it or not. For me , the fact I would change my mind about controled drinking mid stream and give into temptation to drink to excess AFTER I had already started ment DON'T START in the first place. This works everytime!

I had lost my faith while in AA because no god would take away my desire for long. I heard every excuse in the book as to WHY I would fail or be plain unhappy.

Once I took responblity for my own happyness , my own good healthy living , not only did I easly abstain from drink / drugs , but my faith started slowly comming back . I always have a choice , even when It's hard

For others , what ever works for you. I wish you all luck in which ever way you choose .

Thank you alcoholic...from one to another. The Third Step prayer is awesome too....

alcoholic... you just gave me goosebumps.  lol    That is when life became easier for me as well.   That control freak thing is a killer.  I don't feel a need to control anyone anymore. I think I only did that because I was insecure, and now that I know myself ,.. I feel great, I like who I am.   I am not so worried about what others think today.   You can probably tell that by some of my past posts huh? (smile)   You take care, you are a lot further down the road to recover than you know.

Sparks I couldn't agree more. For me I think its all about acceptance. When I realized that I was not really in control of other people, places and things my life got a whole bunch simpler.

I live by the Serenity prayer... it saved my life many times over and I am an Atheist.  It works for everyone!.  The secret is to be TRUE to yourself and be who you are.  You will be amazed at how much you will like yourself when you become who you really are.

I have always liked the Serenity prayer. My first husband was an alcoholic and unfortunately he died too young (45) from drinking. I put the prayer on his prayer card.

Hang in there. I don't like it when ignorant people use phrases like "are you a friend of Bill W" in jest. They don't get it. Keep strong for yourself above all.