Many, if not most, newcomers arrive in into AA in a storm of emergency issues as a result of their disease. Initially, most of us enter without any tools to deal with life on life's terms, and we usually land in our seat with (often self-created) consequences - whether legal or simply emotional. While getting clean of alcohol is of utmost importance, just quitting drinking is merely the beginning of true sobriety.
This is not to be belittled, however, as this is a miracle in itself - requiring spiritual intervention from our higher power. After all, as one of AA's many sayings, it is far easier to stay sober than get sober.
Having said that, the hardest things I've ever been through has come after being sober for a period of years. Life doesn't stop presenting us with challenges after we get sober. In fact, if you stay sober long enough you will inevitably encounter problems just because you are alive and part of this imperfect world.
This is why we use the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, and why initially the twelfth step stated:
Having had a spiritual experience as a result of this course of action, we tried to carry this message to others, especially alcoholics*, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
* Emphasis mine.
The steps were originally intended to help everyone, not just alcoholics - which is likely why there are hundreds of Twelve Step programs dealing with a multitude of conditions and compulsions. As you pass through the (often steep) learning curve of recovery, you begin to find ways to apply these steps to your entire life. Steps 3 and 11 are of particular use for me to stay sane and healthy in an insane world. Step 12 also helps me immensely, and allows me to review all the steps again by guiding sponsees.
As my late sponsor always said, sponsoring is always "win-win", - it allows us to keep everything that we are willing to give away.
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