Roger E. Breaks Anonymity

A wonderful, top-quality recovery post today from Roger E. about his membership for 30 years in Alcoholics Anonymous. I am sure he will get criticism from some in AA and the recovery community for breaking his anonymity. Some of that may or may not be justified. But he does a good job telling his own story with wit and grace, which he has plenty of. He is a wise essayist and worth reading. He also has some You Tube clips related to alcoholism from The Lost Weekend, Days of Wine and Roses, and Clean and Sober. He also does a nice job of moderating comments.

One thing struck me that may be the most important part of his story. Here is a guy who for 30 years has been hobnobbing with the wealthy, the elite, the celebrity in many places where alcohol is free and very free-flowing (Think Cannes and Sundance and Toronto.) In all that he has remained sober! No relapse. He says that AA has taken away the desire to drink. Some in AA will whine about a little party or sitting in a bar/restaurant and crave that drink. It overpowers them; overwhelms their senses.

Yet what Roger E. and many others will attest to is that it doesn't have to be that way. The desire and need and craving and urge to drink will be taken away.

For today, in this 24 hours, reading Roger's story is what my Higher Power has decided to send me. Roger at 30 years, me at 20+ still need each other and others to remind us

• what we used to be like
• what happened and
• what we are like (or can be like) today.

Thanks, Roger.