I’ve seen people who were indeed hopeless and really worthless who’s lives were greatly improved when they quit being drunk, and AA helped in that.

I’ve seen people who were rich and pretty successful, and watched them turn into wretches.

More generally, the majority of people who believe in the concepts of the 12 steps end up having some transformation of personality. If they’re wise about it, they use what works, and don’t try to force themselves into the concepts that don’t work for them. That’s the most common problem that I see - the despair of not being the “perfect” stepper, which is sad. It reminds me that “Good enough, by definition, is good enough”.

And again, allow me to make clear two points:
1. I agree the steps DO MAKE personality changes

2. It is not for US to say who was helped by the steps. As with the ‘who is an alcoholic’ rule, only the person themselves can claim that for sure - we CANNOT say who the twelve steps “have helped”. Only they themselves can state they were helped.

My personality has changed from working the steps. I went from the happy go lucky fun guy I was through all thru my drinking and using (cept for that last year) to an increasingly unhappy and angry man. Eric, just go Ask Louie Fatch who knew me from age 20; he’ll tell ya about Harry in those years.

-e-