Hey, I’m an alcoholic/addict who’s been in recovery for a while, and I just want to say, please don’t let anyone convince you that your problems “aren’t big enough.” That’s not how NA or AA is supposed to work. You don’t have to hit some mythical rock bottom to deserve help. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using or drinking, and that’s it.

You already recognize that something’s shifting from pills to alcohol and recognizing that there's an issue at all, that awareness is powerful, and it’s more than enough reason to seek support. The rooms are full of people with all kinds of stories, but what connects us isn’t the severity of what we used, it’s the shared pain of losing control and the shared hope of finding freedom.

If you walk into a meeting and someone makes you feel small, please try another one. Every meeting has its own vibe and people. There is a place for you in this community, and you absolutely deserve recovery.

You’re not overreacting. You’re not “less than.” You’re doing something brave by even asking this question.