Alone No More

AA Thought for Today

Alcoholism had been a lonely business, even though we were surrounded by people who loved us. But when self-will had driven everybody away and our isolation became complete, it caused us to play the big shot in cheap barrooms and then fare forth alone on the street to depend upon the charity of passersby. We were still trying to find emotional security either by dominating or by being dependent upon others. Even when our fortunes had not ebbed that much and we nevertheless found ourselves alone in the world, we still vainly tried to be secure by some unhealthy sort of domination or dependence. For those of us who were like that, A.A. has a very special meaning. In this Fellowship we begin to learn right relations with people who understand us; we don't have to be alone any more.

-- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, pp. 116-117