Mike's 8 year share

Hello, my name is Mike and i am an alcoholic.

I still remember a day about 10 years ago when i

made my first call to AA looking for a meeting.

The woman on the phone told me about some meetings

in the area and said some were open and others were closed.

I asked what the difference was and she explained that

in a closed meeting you had to be able to admit you were

an alcoholic.

As i recall, i sighed and said "i can do that"

That was probably the first time i admitted to anyone

besides myself that i was an alcoholic.

I went to a few meetings and then quit going, i wasn't

ready yet. I had not yet gone down far enough.

Two year later with some help from some police officers

and the court system i was ready enough.

Had it not been for the fact that i was facing some fairly

serious charges i still might not have been ready.

I had some issues with the program when i first got here

and was certain that it would not work.

8 years later i still have questions and do not always

want to do what the program tells me i should. But, for

8 years i've been working the program as best as i'm able.

For 8 years i have not had a drink.

HMMMMM, Coincidence ?

Possibly, but i think i will keep doing what i've been doing.

I've found i rather like sobriety.

I know my life has become much better since i got sober. It's had

some rough spots here and there and very likely will again, but i

cannot see how taking a drink would make it any better.

Thanks to AA and to all in this room for the last 8 years of my

life and my sobriety, i could not have done it without you.