One Saturday evening I attended an AA meeting in Naperville as a guest. It was a homework assignment for my counseling class on addiction. That AA meeting was the best experience I had during my Master's degree in counseling.

At the AA meeting, I was selected by the organizer to read Story 20 from the "Living Sober" book. It is called "Remembering your last drunk." The story explores how the first drink that is so appealing for an alcoholic inevitably leads to a disastrous drunk state. AA calls on members to remember this connection. "He remembers his last drunk, not his first drink."

I met some great AA members and heard their stories during the meeting. The sadness and despair of their life stories was overwhelming. But the counter to this was the hope that AA meetings instilled in them to stay sober. I saw a lot of courage in that room, and that is a rare thing.

Sad to report that, in today's counseling world, and in my addiction class, it is fashionable to poo-poo AA. But of course. (sigh)

Well, I am not even a counselor yet, but this is an easy call. If you are an alcoholic, go to AA. Meet your peers, fellow alcoholics. Listen to their stories and the values of the organization. You can get a copy of "Living Sober" at the meeting. Expect the alcoholic inside you to scream a litany of excuses why everything sucks and you should leave. Don't listen. Stay and try changing your life.

Pros —   Powerful stories; impactful lessons and philosophy

Cons —   None

Key terms —   AA, alcoholic, Serenity Prayer