“We are convinced to a man that alcoholics of our type are in the grip of a progressive illness.” (Page 30, Big Book)
What is alcoholism? Imagine a lift going down. There is a
display showing what subterranean floor you’re on. The lift does not stop at
every floor. Sometimes you go down several floors without the lift stopping.
There are no buttons inside the lift. The walls are completely smooth. When it
hits the bottom, the lift and you will be destroyed. There is no indication of
when that will be. If the lift stops and the door opens, get out quickly,
before it shuts and the lift moves off.