I just returned from my home group meeting tonight. We honor members' Alanon birthdays during our last meeting of the month, so today was the day I received my three year token.

As corny as it sounds, it really does seem like yesterday when I arrived at my first Alanon meeting. I had hit bottom. I was a crying blob. I learned at that meeting that I was what Alanon members called a "double qualifier." My AH and A daughter had both had DUIs and I was at my wit's end. I figured I'd go to the meeting, find out the "cure" for treating their alcohol abuse, get through the 12 steps in 12 weeks, and be on my way...

I soon learned that I was the one who needed help, and I was the only one that I had control of. I went to three different meetings before returning to my original group, and I've been going back to that same group ever since. I found a sponsor about a year into my program, and together, we began to work the steps. (by the way, I'm still on Step Four, no "express step program" for me!).

Now, three years in, I am on a much better path to healing and finding serenity. Both of my qualifiers are still drinking. But now I am living out on my own and am learning so much about myself. I have my bad days and I still get angry and have days of obsessing about the alcoholics in my life. But those days are getting fewer and far between. I am rebuilding my life, learning to detach, and learning to just live life one day at a time. I am placing my trust in my HP. I don't know what tomorrow may bring, but today, I am happier and at peace in my life. The drama is fading and I'm happy to have left Crazytown. I like my "new digs" in Serenityville.

Thanks for letting me share. It works if you work it!