alcoholic

Should I tell my attorney or the Secretary of State when I last used or drank alcohol?

YES, you should absolutely tell your attorney when you last used or drank alcohol. 

It is a minimum requirement for driver’s license restoration that you, the petitioner, remain clean and sober for at least one year prior to applying for a hearing with the Secretary of State.   

Are AA meetings the answer?

Oftentimes, yes. AA provides guidelines for sober living through its 12-step program and a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope to solve a common problem. While AA is not a cure, the program of Alcoholics Anonymous has been very successful aiding its members to recovery.

Further, AA is a program of honesty, a fundamental principle necessary for sober living. Chapter 5 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous states that:

“Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves.  They are not at fault; they seem to have been born that way. They are naturally incapable of grasping and developing a manner of living which demands rigorous honesty. Their chances are less than average.”

That being said, AA meetings are not just about growing your recovery network and sharing your story, but about choosing an environment where you can continue to be honest about your recovery, and that you do in fact, have an addiction problem. It also nurtures humility, another fundamental principle of sober living and meaningful relationships.

Have an amazing day and thanks for visiting our site!

-Kiernan Gamel