Somebody That I Used To Know

AA

"Okay," Jeff says. "Welcome to this meeting. We're gathered her for alcoholics anonymous and narcotics anonymous. We have a new member today, everyone, treat him the way that you want to be treated, Angela same respect you give to everyone else in this room. Now, please introduce yourself."

"Um, I... I'm Tom and... and I'm an alcoholic."

"Hi, Tom." Everyone recites with a welcoming smile.

"Hello."

"Tom, tell us why you're here."

"This is court ordered. I uh, I got a DUI. I have to do 24 meetings before I can get my license back."

"I don't mean the court aspect, personally, why are you here? What brought you to the level of getting a DUI? And let's be honest, most of us has had one in our life. We're here to listen, not to judge."

"I uh... well I got in a fight with my wife, who's soon to be ex-wife. She said something very bad to me that brought a lot of pain back. I went to a brunch place because they serve champagne and I ordered hard liquor, at 9am. I bribed the waiter to give me more than the legal amount and... crashed my car into a tree. I have a little girl and my ex won't led see her until... until I sober up."

"Thank you for sharing. I'm going to ask you some questions because you're new here, I ask everyone is new questions. Don't let it stress you out, we're all here for you. This is your support group and we'll help you to reach your goals. What is your main goal for being here? And I mean your personal goal, not to get your license back or anything like that."

"I want my daughter." Tom says. "I want to come over to mine and my girlfriend's place and have her own room there. I miss my wife but she always tries to degrade me. It's not on purpose but she will take your biggest trauma and use it against you. I can't do that anymore. I want to be peaceful with her because she's not so much to help me over the years and we still love each other, but I'm starting to imagine a life with my girlfriend."

"We're going to help you to your goal." Jeff smiles. "By the end of your 24 meetings, you will have your daughter back. It's good to want to be peaceful with your wife, ex-wife, I'm sorry. It makes an easier situation for both you and your daughter. I can tell how much you love her. And speaking about the trauma, no one should use your past experience against you."

"I'm aware of that. I just... I hate her sometimes because she doesn't understand."

"Part of this is realizing that your family isn't always against you. Why so you think your wife doesn't want you by your daughter?"

"Because I... I've drank with her in the car before. She... got hurt after I wasn't paying attention because I was drunk."

"What's your daughter's name?"

"Lillian, Lily."

"Lily. Alright, what if..."

"Molly."

"What if Molly endangered her? You'd want to keep them away from each other."

"I didn't endanger my daughter. I'm a good father." Tom snaps.

"I never said you weren't. I'm saying that your actions were dangerous to her. It's not okay but it's okay. You're here, you're doing your part to get better and be an even greater dad."

"I don't know what I want to do."

"What do you mean?"

"Molly has done so much for me. She's taken care of me through everything. From all the hospital visits, Oakwood visits, the suicide attempt, I...  she hasn't left me through all of it she suggested we spilt up but she had intentions to get back together. Then I turned to my now girlfriend for help."

"Help? So she's helping you through this?"

"Well, n-no."

"Then what do you mean?"

"Just that... we're together."

"Emotionally? I noticed that once I was truthful with my girlfriend, who's now my wife of 10 years, I was able to get help. She wouldn't marry me unless I was sober and that was my motivation. I relapsed 8 years ago, my wife had a very high risk pregnancy and I was terrified and stressed. She went into preterm labor and I checked into rehab, I missed my baby boy's birth. 8 years later, we're both healthy and well, he's a big guy now, but it isn't easy. We all have our experiences and stories, it's important to remember that you're not alone."

"I... the only person you can trust yourself, and even that gets iffy."

"I know you're worried, Tom, but there are people who love you and support you. Can you name three of those people in your personal life that you can count on?"

"Um, my... my mum, my sister, and..." Tom sits there and thinks for a minute."

"Tom?" Jeff asks.

"Maybe... maybe my friend, Chris."

"Can I ask you a question?"

Tom looks around the at the other people, staring at him. "Another question?"

"It's the last one."

"O-okay."

"Tom, why didn't you list your girlfriend or ex wife?"

"Um... I... wouldn't count them."

"You said that Molly helped you a lot."

"I can't trust her anymore."

"Because you're spilt up?"

"Because she used being assaulted against me." Tom snaps. "I don't want to talk about this anymore."

"Okay, that's all right. Thank you for sharing with us today. Jamie, would you please share?"