I had four years sober in AA after abusing alcohol for four years in college. Back then, it was great, but not anymore. I currently suffer from schizophrenia, anxiety, OCD, bi-polar, general depression, and of course, alcoholism. Today it's been 12 days of sobriety, after 9 years of drinking. When I was getting through what I had to during these 12 days it felt like the hardest thing in the world to do. I had tried so many times to get sober before during these 9 years,but kept failing. It was so hard, because my family (like your friends) refused to believe I had a problem and in addition they left alcohol all over the house. I always found it like the good alcoholic that I am. Getting back to the subject, in addition to drinking I was on medication for my other illnesses, but all my psychiatrists and therapist all said the medication wouldn't help as long as I was drinking. Like I said the first four years were great, but the last nine years have been a nightmare. Finally, something amazing happened. I saw the HBO special (which is now available on DVD), "Addiction." I was introduced to CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) I managed to get these 12 days sober through self-help, however, I still believe a group (or forum) is a good idea. Anyway, there are two things that I wanted to share with you about your current predictament that I would like to add to what has already been said. Number one, the pschological consensus is that you don't have to reach rock bottom (like I did in an insane asylum) to get sober, and in addition, you can't spend your life worrying about what others think of you. All that matters is what you think of you, and it does sound like you are starting to doubt your behavior in light of what your friends tell you. Ask yourself this, are your friends going "home" with you. In other words are your friends (like my family) living in your head. Until proved otherwise, esp just isn't likely. You've got to first accept yourself. That doesnt' mean you've have to accept your bad behavior, but you have to know that you and all of us have value and that value isn't dependent on other people. I hope you never have to go through the hell that I have and then, subsequently, have to struggle all the more harder for 12 days of sobriety with any illness like the ones I mentioned. Like AA says, give it 90 days (of sobriety), and if you're not satisfied we'll refund your misery.