The vast majority of alcoholics that I have met with (there are exceptions), have been thrown off their spiritual center (knowing intuitively, how to consistently do the right thing), from an fairly early age.  I include myself in this regard.  Experiences, especially as a child can work to warp a persons perception of the world, to the extent that a human's natural instinct to fight or flight, is thrown out of balance, fueled by a hundred forms of fear.  To escape the fear, many coping mechanisms come into play, including alcohol and drug abuse.  Over time, a life fueled by this type of emotions will eventually accumulate plenty of wreckage (hurt or destroyed relationships, and the results coming from failing to meet lifes responsibilities), and that is where the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous can get a person on a positive life track.  Its basically agreeing to work with god and another human being to set things straight from the past and have the willingness to look at your faults and shortcomings, so causes and conditions can be uncovered and a new life can commence without repeating the same behaviors that caused you to want to escape in the first place.  By default, starting on this path seems to lift the very obsession that has doomed millions.  A decision to stop drinking is not enough once you cross a certain line in the disease of alcoholism.  There must be a decision to do something about it and a willingness to accept the fact that when it comes to alcohol, you have no ability to control your drinking, and in fact you are powerless once you start. 

The most important absolutes you can rely on with AA, if you think you might be an alcoholic:

  1. If you go to AA meetings, you will feel much better.  There are people that have gone through the same things you have, and you won't be judged.
  2. Your life will get better.  You will fit into this world and be a positive force and a great power of example for others.
  3. You will know a new freedom and new happiness that will be manifested inside you.