>>That last part is offensive. My daughters are amazingly normal, much better than I deserve. Emily will be the captain of her volleyball team next year and the valedictorian of her class. She got my brains without all the crap.
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>>I do not go to AA to feel comfortable. I go because I see people who have recovered from the disease. I know it's possible.
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>Again you rationalize your behavior and its impact on your children. I am the result of a drunken mother and I have fought hard during my life to overcome the effects of watching her drink herself to death. To say that your daughters are normal is specious at best and the ultimate in hubris at worst. The suffer from your behavior, they suffer not knowing if you'll be there when they come home; they suffer not knowing if you'll be where you say you'll be; they suffer knowing they can't rely on you for anything other than being a drunk; but, at least, they have each other and that provides a modicum of support.
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>You need to grow up, quit making excuses and change (if you want to). I don't think you really want to, I think what you give here is lip service to attract symapthy and support for your troubles. I fyou really wanted to quit, you'd do what I did with cigarettes 22 years ago when my son said, "Dad that will kill you in the long run". I took them out of my pocket and threw them in the trash can. Never smoked another cigarette in my life.
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>The bottom line is you can if you want to and are motivated to change. It s apparent to me that 1: you are not motivated enough to quit, 2: your daughters feelings don't bother you enough to quit, 3: you make constant excuses like a teenager and you whine constantly about how nobody understands. Again, Just crap or get off the pot. Do something positive for yourself and your children (who are not normal) and form a life for them.

John, I respect your opinion but you presume a lot.

You think I don't care about the effect my drinking has on my daughters? All I said is they are weathering it well. Amazingly enough, they still love me. They see me sober as well as drunk and I am a good person sober.

You think I don't want to quit? Why would I spend so much time at meetings and on the phone with AA members if I didn't to quit?

There is absolutely nothing about alcoholism that makes sense. Why would an otherwise sensible person choose this?

I really am going to shut up about it. I know I have exhausted everyone's patience. As someone said (Bill K?), this is not an AA forum.