Every single person at any AA meeting knows that it's NOT a failure.
In my mind, the failure was my continuing the struggle with alcohol long after I knew there was a problem. I understand I didn't want to be a failure by quitting, but I was really failing every day that I continued to drink. I kept screwing up more and more of my life and my relationships. When I finally did decide to quit drinking, sign into I.O.P. and go to AA, I began to succeed. I had a lot to learn and a lot of damage to repair, but at least I quit digging myself in any deeper!

And my sanity level has much improved since i gave up intoxication. It's much easier to keep my head clear when I'm not clouding it with alcohol.