Admitting you have this desease is indeed the first step.

AA doesn't work for everyone, but it worked for me. (hence the anonymous post.) Took a long time too. Lots of meetings where I couldn't stand what I heard. WAAAYYY too many born again Christian types. Way too many whose stories I couldn't relate to. Finally I realized that I better take the cotton out of my ears and put it in my mouth, cuz I was sick of drinking and drugging, and what I was doing wasn't working. I stopped looking for all the ways I was different from those other bums (I nearly died from terminal uniqueness) One night I heard some one say that a high bottom drunk is one who wears their ass on top of their shoulders and recognized myself. I had admitted I was an alcoholic, but because I hadn't committed a felony, lost a job or a family or slept in a flop house I took awhile to recognize that my life had become unmanageable. Been sober 17 years now. Those 12 steps are a good plan for trying to live effectively on this earth for anyone. They were not invented with AA.

If you can afford treatment, get it. If not--you need alot of support and AA is the only place I know where you can get it for the price of admitting you are an alcoholic.

Now, believe it or not, I am not one of those people who think AA is the only way. It's just the most accessible way for most people. The ingredients for continued sobriety are not drinking, no matter what, and learning healthy skills for living life on life's terms. It takes decision, support, teachers and commitment. You have to make the decision and find the commitment to yourself within yourself. You are much more likely to be successful in sticking with your decision and maintaining your commitment with support. The psychological reasons or physical suceptibility behind your addiction are inmaterial to recovery. Whether you never had the effective living skills, or lost them during your years of reliance on alcohol, you have to acquire them now. You need teachers and support to do that. If you are a heavy drinker and are at risk for withdrawal or DT's don't stop abruptly without medical supervision.

I'm glad you posted. You have begun the journey.