I am an alcoholic first. - Kathie W - AA Speaker

Kathie W shares their journey as an alcoholic, emphasizing their sobriety date of November 21, 1982, and the profound impact of their sponsor, Ellen. They recount their struggles with active alcoholism, including early attempts at sobriety and subsequent relapse, and highlight how AA meetings and the fellowship became crucial to their recovery. Kathie W stresses the importance of identifying as an alcoholic and learning from various AA members and principles, ultimately attributing their long-term sobriety to the program and its historical foundations.