Addictions

Just an update. I spoke with a dear friend today who has a lot of professional experience in addictions. She doesn't think that I have an addiction issue in my life. She thinks I just have *life*. The way she tells it, and this is straight from the Writings too, is that we all have the insistent self, or Satan. It up to us how we response to that insistent self. If we have a troublesome thought, like I want to drink, and we stop it at the thought, that is passing the test with flying colours, if we encourage the thought a little, think about it, talk about it and then stop it, that's passing, but not as well, if we actually go out and drink, then that's failing the test. So it all depends on our actions in relation to the insistent self. And in her opinion, and I agree, I am not drinking, I am not using, I am not having an affair with Boy or other boys. So in that case she doesn't see me as having trouble with addiction.
I do, btw, have a very mild case of bi-polar and I am on a ridiculously low dose of a mood stabilizer for it. She says that generally, drinking accompanies bi-polar and that the urge to drink can come when I feel manic or depressed. Which is interesting as I was feeling a little down the other day when I wanted to drink and the kids weren't here.
So, all in all, I am glad that I went to AA, maybe I will go again. But I don't think I have to do the 12 Step program. My friend suggested I perhaps try out Alanon, which is for family members of alcoholics. She also said that by being a Baha'i I am doing most of the steps already. Praise be to God that I am a Baha'i !
I am worried about my brother. He shows signs of alcohol dependancy.