The Message of Sobriety Travels through Identification

Earlier this evening I had the distinct honor of participating in the celebration of a young woman’s one year sobriety anniversary. Part of the celebration includes the celebrant sharing his or her story. Several things happened during this event that strengthened my, already solid, faith in the program of Alcoholics Anonymous.

The woman, in her early twenties, shared quite a struggle that could have ended much differently. As she told her story, I watched the faces of two young newcomers to the program. A very young girl, there with her father, appeared mesmerized. I witnessed her identification with the speaker. A young guy, who’s struggling mightily in early sobriety, was silent for a change and his attention was rapt. Afterward he excitedly approached the speaker and said, “You told my story!!” That’s what it’s all about.

This young woman’s parents were there to support her and, as she talked about her repeated trips to mental wards and treatment centers, my heart and soul went out to these two people who’ve seen so much and probably hurt and feared beyond comprehension. She said her problems weren’t the result of anything they did or didn’t do. The young guy told her that his parents had been great parents too. They’d done nothing to contribute to his delinquency. That helped me. My son is not far from their ages and he’s been down that road. I blamed myself. These two young people are part of a whole that’s lifted the suffocating blanket of blame and shame from me.

Exponential seems like a weak word to describe the reaching effects of this program. Carrying the message is the foundation and the goal that allows AA and alcoholics to continue to survive but to watch it take place like that is about as powerful as anything I’ve ever seen. I fully expect, as a result of this evening’s meeting, to see the young girl, who sat with her father, and the young guy, who’s head has been jumbled from detoxing, back again. I hope they both make it.

As for the young woman who spoke tonight, her struggle since childhood becomes less of a struggle each and every day. Her words and animated gestures, bright eyes and giant grin tell her story of today. The Promises are coming true for her. She’s happy, joyous and free. She’s carrying the message and handing over the key. It works like that. And we need it to keep working. There are so many lives to save.