If you have got this far and identify with some of the issues we have mentioned, there is good news. There is a solution. AA is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help other to recover from alcoholism.

But what is Alcoholics Anonymous?

AA’s 3 core principles of recover are unity, recovery and service. Meaning, a united fellowship of people with a common problem, helping each others recover from that problem through sharing our experiences and helpful acts of kindness and ensuring we are there to help someone who needs help with that problem.

But what does a member do in Alcoholics Anonymous? There are meetings everyday all across the Black Country and Wyre Forest, and Zoom Meetings  24 hours a day, everyday. You do not have to attend every single one but more meetings mean more chances. Find someone that has the recovery you would like, do something that was unheard of during active drinking, and ask for help. Find service positions in the meetings you attend. Simple, right?

But that raises further questions, such as, what does life in recovery really look like? Is it going to be boring? No social life, isolation, bored? No. It does not have to be that way. We’re sober, not dull. Alcoholics who work the program of recovery often have happy, fulfilling lives. The only thing a recovering alcoholic cant do in this world is take a mind altering substance one day at a time.

Recovery is an ongoing process, it's scary to think of sobriety as something you have to do forever. So, we don't. Recovery is a day at a time. We don't drink for today, just for 24 hours. And then the next day, we do it again. Thinking of recovery as a day at a time is easier to work towards than thinking long term, but if you need to break it down smaller time scales such as hours or minutes, that is okay too. 

Recovery at a young age means giving yourself a chance at a life that you didn’t have before. An opportunity to work for a life where you are at peace, contented and helpful. Its easy to think that stopping drinking means the world is going to end; and you are right, that is true, its the end of a world of pain, and suffering.