Of course he got upset - all diehard AA folks are convinced that AA is the only thing that will work and that any other methods will lead to death and destruction. Hey if it works then awsome - if not then move on to something else. (just my 2 cents).

>Sorry for the tough love, but a friend of mine is a former alkie and substance abuser. He now talks regularly at AA meetings and has a book on the subject.
>
>I showed him your story, and he got rather upset. Said there is no excuse. That the Il. area has some of the best AA groups around. And it does help. If you go in thinking it's a waste of time, of course the chance of success is greatly lessened.
>
>I think you need to watch the David Hasselhoff video over and over again for a couple hours. And ask yourself if you want your daughters to create a similar video of you.
>
>>Thank you for the encouragement. You are one of the youngest regulars here and also one of the wisest.
>>
>>There are a couple of good things in my life today. For one the girls still love me even though they were disappointed yesterday. Today we had a normal weekday morning, except I drove them to the school instead of leaving at 6:30 for the train. (That I will NOT miss). Emily asked if some of her teammates can sleep over Sunday night and I said sure. So they haven't given up on me. The other is I am finally committed to going to meetings. I really hate the thought but what I have been doing has not worked. It works for a while and then it breaks again. If it was just me maybe I would fall into the abyss but there are people who depend in me. I am grateful they are such good kids given all they've had to put up with.
>>
>>How is your dog doing? Crash is still majoring in aggro but there are signs of improvement. I have to be honest and say I didn't know what holy terrors lab puppies are. The vet tried to warn me and I was too dumb to listen. But we'll get there.
>>
>>
>>>I'm sorry to hear that. I was wondering the other day how you were doing. I guess everything I can think of to say sounds really cliche, so I will skip that crap. I hope you find what you are looking for, and I wish you luck in your journey.
>>>
>>>>I have been fired from my job.
>>>>
>>>>The reason is my drinking problem has come back with a vengeance. I can't explain why. I missed last Thursday and Friday and then again today due to drinking. It's a really rotten problem to have. My boss said I am the best programmer he has ever seen but they can't go on like this. I can't blame him.
>>>>
>>>>The girls don't know yet. They are going to be very disappointed. Moving here has been the biggest decision they have made in their young lives. And now they are going to be worried. S**t! I have let them down.
>>>>
>>>>Mike