Progress Not Perfection

I had no intention of quitting drinking when I walked into that Sunday night meeting. I was there by my own choice, but I was only hoping to take the spotlight off of me and avoid another rehab. 10 people sat around the table night, drinking coffee and chain smoking. I sat scared and full of fear. I was the youngest person in the room by at least 20 years.  Don’t let my young age fool you. At 19 I was already a veteran of one rehab and two forced stints in AA. Step 1 confronted me that night, but I couldn’t fully accept it. I was way too young to be an alcoholic. Powerless over alcohol? No way! Sure, I drank a lot. So did all my friends. All my actions, all my thoughts, and all my ambitions centered upon drinking. But all I could admit to was the unmanageability of my life. That was why I went to that meeting in the first place. Normal people didn't try to kill themselves every time they drank. I knew I had a problem with depression or insecurity or loneliness. Drink...