That’s hard to put into words but I get where you’re going.
In my mind, that turn to sobriety instead of the bar happened when I ceased thinking that “my case is different” and “if you only knew”. Turning the other way- toward others who could talk the same talk, and I finally surrendered to the fact that I’m not different, I’m just an alcoholic, and that a drink isn’t ever going to give me what I need.
That moment of accepting grace and surrendering to that simple but hard to swallow truth points to Bear’s post directly above. That narcissistic / independent veil gets pierced- even just pricked, and it lets all of the air out of the ballon.
I’m not special- I’m not unique- I’m just a dude with problems like everyone else. But, unlike many (many, not ALL), I’ve got an obsessive mind and a body that won’t let me drink successfully so I have to find a sufficient substitute. Big difference between many and all.
Until I can see myself in you and hear my story in yours, I remain terminally unique and doomed to a life of misery- drunk or dry.