My original sobriety date was May 29, 2001. I had a tough sponsor, which is what I needed, and worked the program well for a few years. Then, my sponsor "fired me" -- I deserve it -- and I decided that I could do just fine all by myself.
That worked for a while, actually for a couple more years. But over that time, I gradually drifed away from the principles of A.A. You all know the story, because you've heard it from others who have relapsed. I did not have a sponsor, then I stopped working on the steps. Then, I went to fewer meetings. Then, I stopped my daily readings of A.A. literature. Then, I stopped getting on my knees each morning and evening. Then, I stopped attending Church as regularly as I had.
Next, I decided that I was doing just fine, and that I had this alcoholic thing under control. I decided that I could have a drink every once in a while -- just like normal people. I would say things like "see, my head doesn't spin in circles". "I'm only having this one". "What's the big deal". And my favorite .... "I'm fine".
There's a good meeting tonight at the facility where I went through treatment. I'm sure that I'll know some of the people there. The tough part is going to be driving past the convenience stores between work and my house this evening ......
