Alcoholism Does Not Discriminate

Recently in a meeting, one of our members told a very interesting story which a lot of us can relate to.

The person in the meeting told us that he was speaking at a Pennsylvania drug rehab as part of his service work one evening. When he was finished and the meeting was over one of the patients came up to him and said thank you and that he did a good job. He proceeded to let the member of AA know that he was an attorney and scholar of high standing in the community and that he should be proud that a man of his stature gave him such a compliment. Our AA friend made a very wise comment in the meeting, "But you're wearing a braclette with your name on it and I am going home".

That is what alcoholism does to us. It tells us that we are not as bad as everyone else because of our professional accomplishments or that we have a house with two cars in the driveway. What alcoholism does not tell us is how badly we are treating everyone around us. The bills can be paid, we can go to work every day, and drive the nicest cars, but the active alcoholic is a person destroying others lives. It is impossible to see in active addiction. When we come into AA and follow the suggestions this damage can be repaired.