LEARNING TO LOVE OURSELVES

Alcoholism was a lonely business, even though we were surrounded by people who loved us . . . We were trying to find emotional security either by dominating or by being dependent upon others . . . We still vainly tried to be secure by some unhealthy sort of domination or dependence.

AS BILL SEES IT, p. 252


When I did my personal inventory I found that I had

unhealthy relationships with most people in my life—my

friends and family, for example. I always felt isolated and

lonely. I drank to dull emotional pain.

It was through staying sober, having a good sponsor and

working the Twelve Steps that I was able to build up my

low self-esteem. First the Twelve Steps taught me to

become my own best friend, and then, when I was able to


love myself, I could reach out and love others.