I cannot drink

We had a newcomer at our AA meeting. Everyone who shared welcomed the newcomer; there were some great stories.

But one share stood out. It was catchy, something that the newcomer could remember, something we could all remember.

Our AA brother started, “Welcome to the newcomer.”

He paused, then continued, “I don’t remember much about my first meeting. Mainly I remember, everyone was friendly. And at that time, I did not have many friends. My drinking had reached a crescendo. The days and weeks leading up to my first meeting were not pretty.

“But in the days and weeks leading up to my first meeting, I finally faced the mounting evidence of my drinking problem. I had a lot of evidence to prove that I cannot drink; impaired driving offences, a divorce, lost jobs. When I think back, I am amazed at how much evidence I needed to accept the fact that I cannot drink. Maybe you can relate to that same feeling — mountains of evidence that drinking is a problem. Trust me; we have all been there.

“It was with terror that I admitted that I cannot drink. I could not imagine life without drinking. Was it going to be dull and joyless? What about business lunches, parties, and what if I got married? I would have to drink if I got married. Life as I knew it was ending.

“It was clear; I could not drink, I cannot drink. I remember thinking, well, I don’t have to make a lifetime promise, let’s try it and see what happens.

“And what happened? I learned that I can … not drink. I realized I can live without booze.

“For now, there are only two facts that you have to know.

“First, you cannot drink.

“Second, you can… not drink.”

It was an outstanding share for a newcomer and everyone else. Simple and memorable. We cannot and we can … not.