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[pjciii]

i quit going to meeting back in early 82 and i relapsed for 25 years i was 23 at that time and did not make it back till 47. i believe it is possible to not drink and not go to meetings but then the program is not simply about not drinking. for me it is about living/growing/feeling and dealing with life on lifes terms. if i deal with things the same way i did, but simply not drink then i am not changing. if i still let lifes trivial matters continue to irritate and anger me, then i am not changing. if i still deny/ignore my feelings and just dont drink over it, then i am not changing. i did not start changing until i was willing to start listening. not everyone in A.A. is a winner. they go to meetings and do all the talking and never learn anymore than they already know. i know alot of good people in the program. we see each other at meetings, we ride together, we travel together, we catch meetings anywhere from wyoming/sturgis/all over minnesota, your own state of wisconson in georgia and floridia. i put as much effort into my recovery as i did into my drinking. i would not want to try your way but if it is working for you then to each his own. i know a gal down in mankato mn that has been sober for 14 years and she does not go to meetings, but she knows what happens when she doea drink(her pants come off) and she does not like the consequinces so she just doesn't. i know a gal who found CHRIST in a big way after going to some meetings for awhile and she has followed that path. i dont know to many guys that has worked for. they just seem to build up baggage and then end up using. at meetings peple get to know me on a different level if i am honest and i am held accountable for my actions and i am told in no uncertian terms if i dont see it what my part in my problems are. some peope even think A.A. is simply brain washing. well when i came back in my brain needed a serious scrubbing. but i truly believe that at step 3,5,11 and 12 my life has been restored gradually if i have truly done the work before it and don't forget step 1. thanks for stopping in Eddie
patrick