Jillian’s life had spiraled out of control by the time she turned 38. Alcohol had already cost her a marriage and threatened her career. What began as typical college drinking escalated into daily overindulgence at professional events, eventually becoming an all-day compulsion.
Most days, a full bottle of vodka in her cabinet would end up empty in the recycling bin. The realization hit hard: “I got to the point where I said: Holy shit, I can’t stop on my own,” she recalled.
Her boyfriend was overwhelmed. Her therapist’s harm-reduction strategies provided temporary relief, but relapses persisted. Her family doctor encouraged moderation but never prescribed medication to aid her recovery. With no other options, Jillian turned to a local Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting.
Yet the mutual-help group failed to meet her needs. She found the program’s spiritual focus excessive and its emphasis on sudden, lifelong abstinence unrealistic. Worse, she encountered predatory behavior from men at meetings who offered rides or phone numbers under the guise of mentorship. When she did find support, it often came from others who suggested meeting at a nearby bar after sessions.
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