--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One Saturday in 1984, I walked into my…" description: "\"One Saturday in 1984, I walked into my first AA meeting. I went regularly for six years and only stopped when I came to realize my underlying problem w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/056/jack-dee-14896_aa-meeting_one-saturday-in-1984-i-walked-into-my-fi_2021033.jpg" --- # One Saturday in 1984, I walked into my first AA meeting. I… ![“One Saturday in 1984, I walked into my first AA meeting. I went regularly for six years and only stopped when I came to realize my underlying problem was not genuine alcoholism, but depression.” quote by Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/056/jack-dee-14896_aa-meeting_one-saturday-in-1984-i-walked-into-my-fi_2021033.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/056/jack-dee-14896_aa-meeting_one-saturday-in-1984-i-walked-into-my-fi_2021033.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/056/jack-dee-14896_aa-meeting_one-saturday-in-1984-i-walked-into-my-fi_2021033.jpg) > “One Saturday in 1984, I walked into my first AA meeting. I went regularly for six years and only stopped when I came to realize my underlying problem was not genuine alcoholism, but depression.” [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. AA helped identify depression masquerading as alcoholism, highlighting the need for accurate self‑diagnosis. **In simple terms:** Alcoholism was actually depression. Key Takeaway Seek proper mental health evaluation before labeling. Themes addiction depression self‑awareness recovery Mood reflective hopeful Type memoir educational When to use this quote - AA meetings - therapy - medical assessment Key Concepts psychology substance abuse mental health Questions to Reflect On - How did you realize the true issue? - What steps ensure accurate mental health assessment? A Different Perspective Misdiagnosis can delay effective treatment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aa meeting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aa-meeting/) [Alcoholism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alcoholism/) [Alcoholism Depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alcoholism-depression-3661747/) [Depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depression/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Genuine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genuine/) [Genuine Alcoholism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genuine-alcoholism-3661749/) [Meetings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meetings/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Realizing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realizing/) [Saturday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saturday/) [Six](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/six/) [Walked Aa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/walked-aa-3661748/) [Wine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wine/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) ## Related quotes > [I know why we're here. We're all here because we're not all there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-tyler/i-know-why-we-re-here-we-re-all-here-because-we-re-not-all-there/) [Steven Tyler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-tyler/) > [Without memory, there is no healing. Without forgiveness, there is no future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/without-memory-there-is-no-healing-without-forgiveness-there-is-no/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [I grew up around a lot of aggressive guys. My parents used to take me to AA meetings when I was very young. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shia-labeouf/i-grew-up-around-a-lot-of-aggressive-guys-my-parents-used-to-take-me/) [Shia LaBeouf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shia-labeouf/) > [Anything worth doing is worth doing well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/anything-worth-doing-is-worth-doing-well/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [I want what I want when I want it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-cantor/i-want-what-i-want-when-i-want-it/) [Eric Cantor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-cantor/) > [Creativity is the gift that keeps on giving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-maisel/creativity-is-the-gift-that-keeps-on-giving/) [Eric Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-maisel/) > [Fear is the darkroom where negatives are developed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/fear-is-the-darkroom-where-negatives-are-developed/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The point is, this is what happens when advertising and data collection is the dominant business mode. We are encouraged to be compulsive. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/astra-taylor/the-point-is-this-is-what-happens-when-advertising-and-data/) [Astra Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/astra-taylor/) > [“Peg came over with dinner tonight and told me about this dumb schmaltzy poem she heard someone read at an AA meeting.  It got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/peg-came-over-with-dinner-tonight-and-told-me-about-this-dumb/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“It was only my first AA meeting, but I was certain assaulting a fellow alcoholic wasn't one of those Twelve Steps.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christa-allan/it-was-only-my-first-aa-meeting-but-i-was-certain-assaulting-a-fellow/) [Christa Allan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christa-allan/) > [Have you ever been to an AA meeting? No wonder these people are alcoholics - I've never needed a drink more badly in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-handler/have-you-ever-been-to-an-aa-meeting-no-wonder-these-people-are/) [Chelsea Handler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-handler/) > [“If you're going to drive a Hummer and buy carbon offsets, that's like getting drunk every night and getting into an AA meeting, throwing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-begley-jr/if-you-re-going-to-drive-a-hummer-and-buy-carbon-offsets-that-s-like/) [Ed Begley, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-begley-jr/) > [Coffee, she'd discovered, was tied to all sorts of memories, different for each person. Sunday mornings, friendly get-togethers, a favorite grandfather long since gone,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-addison-allen/coffee-she-d-discovered-was-tied-to-all-sorts-of-memories-different/) [Sarah Addison Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-addison-allen/) > [If you find a path with no obstacles, it likely leads nowhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-devrye/if-you-find-a-path-with-no-obstacles-it-likely-leads-nowhere/) [Catherine DeVrye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-devrye/) > [During inflation, Goodwill is the gift that keeps on giving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/during-inflation-goodwill-is-the-gift-that-keeps-on-giving/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) ## More by Jack Dee > [In my local newspaper, they had this advert: 'please look after your neighbours in the cold weather'. I live next door to this 84-year-old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/in-my-local-newspaper-they-had-this-advert-please-look-after-your/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) > [One of my friends went on a murder weekend... now he is doing life for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/one-of-my-friends-went-on-a-murder-weekend-now-he-is-doing-life-for-it/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) > [Mmmm... the comedy that matters is the comedy you pull out of thin air. It's a bit like when something funny has happened and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/mmmm-the-comedy-that-matters-is-the-comedy-you-pull-out-of-thin-air/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) > [The rain forest has Sting. Now Siberia has Jack Dee. Someone had to draw the short straw. In this case it was the rain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/the-rain-forest-has-sting-now-siberia-has-jack-dee-someone-had-to/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) > [Depression is something that has always figured in my life but now I'm dealing with it. I wish I'd done this years ago because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/depression-is-something-that-has-always-figured-in-my-life-but-now-i/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) > [They call it 'surfing' the net. It's not surfing. It's typing in your bedroom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/they-call-it-surfing-the-net-it-s-not-surfing-it-s-typing-in-your/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) > [The film industry is like Anne Robinsonalways on the look-out for a new face](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/the-film-industry-is-like-anne-robinsonalways-on-the-look-out-for-a/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) > [And people are intrigued if I really am as grumpy in real life. People feel a bit let down if I'm laughing or smiling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/and-people-are-intrigued-if-i-really-am-as-grumpy-in-real-life-people/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) > [I was on various anti-depressants, but not for long - I didn't function very well on them. I felt sort of flattened out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/i-was-on-various-anti-depressants-but-not-for-long-i-didn-t-function/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) > [I have had issues with depression all my life, and it's probably true to say there was a tendency towards it even when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/i-have-had-issues-with-depression-all-my-life-and-it-s-probably-true/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) > [The good thing about 'Have I Got News For You' is it's a compact show but it still gives everyone space to breathe, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/the-good-thing-about-have-i-got-news-for-you-is-it-s-a-compact-show/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) > [I was so keen to become a comedian that actually doing the comedy itself almost came second.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/i-was-so-keen-to-become-a-comedian-that-actually-doing-the-comedy/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) > [Whenever you're in any acting role you are mortgaging your own character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/whenever-you-re-in-any-acting-role-you-are-mortgaging-your-own/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) > [I had a longing for ritual, something I could cling to, a routine to make me feel well and contented. I hoped that reading…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/i-had-a-longing-for-ritual-something-i-could-cling-to-a-routine-to/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) > [But I like going to church. If you've been brought up in the Church of England, it feels like visiting an elderly relative. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/but-i-like-going-to-church-if-you-ve-been-brought-up-in-the-church-of/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) [Explore all 45 Jack Dee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) ## More Aa meeting quotes > [I know why we're here. We're all here because we're not all there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-tyler/i-know-why-we-re-here-we-re-all-here-because-we-re-not-all-there/) [Steven Tyler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-tyler/) > [If you find a path with no obstacles, it likely leads nowhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-devrye/if-you-find-a-path-with-no-obstacles-it-likely-leads-nowhere/) [Catherine DeVrye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-devrye/) > [Coffee, she'd discovered, was tied to all sorts of memories, different for each person. Sunday mornings, friendly get-togethers, a favorite grandfather long since gone,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-addison-allen/coffee-she-d-discovered-was-tied-to-all-sorts-of-memories-different/) [Sarah Addison Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-addison-allen/) > [“If you're going to drive a Hummer and buy carbon offsets, that's like getting drunk every night and getting into an AA meeting, throwing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-begley-jr/if-you-re-going-to-drive-a-hummer-and-buy-carbon-offsets-that-s-like/) [Ed Begley, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-begley-jr/) > [Have you ever been to an AA meeting? No wonder these people are alcoholics - I've never needed a drink more badly in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-handler/have-you-ever-been-to-an-aa-meeting-no-wonder-these-people-are/) [Chelsea Handler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-handler/) > [“It was only my first AA meeting, but I was certain assaulting a fellow alcoholic wasn't one of those Twelve Steps.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christa-allan/it-was-only-my-first-aa-meeting-but-i-was-certain-assaulting-a-fellow/) [Christa Allan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christa-allan/) > [“Peg came over with dinner tonight and told me about this dumb schmaltzy poem she heard someone read at an AA meeting.  It got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/peg-came-over-with-dinner-tonight-and-told-me-about-this-dumb/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [The point is, this is what happens when advertising and data collection is the dominant business mode. We are encouraged to be compulsive. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/astra-taylor/the-point-is-this-is-what-happens-when-advertising-and-data/) [Astra Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/astra-taylor/) > [Fear is the darkroom where negatives are developed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/fear-is-the-darkroom-where-negatives-are-developed/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Creativity is the gift that keeps on giving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-maisel/creativity-is-the-gift-that-keeps-on-giving/) [Eric Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-maisel/) > [I want what I want when I want it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-cantor/i-want-what-i-want-when-i-want-it/) [Eric Cantor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-cantor/) > [Anything worth doing is worth doing well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/anything-worth-doing-is-worth-doing-well/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [I grew up around a lot of aggressive guys. My parents used to take me to AA meetings when I was very young. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shia-labeouf/i-grew-up-around-a-lot-of-aggressive-guys-my-parents-used-to-take-me/) [Shia LaBeouf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shia-labeouf/) > [Without memory, there is no healing. Without forgiveness, there is no future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/without-memory-there-is-no-healing-without-forgiveness-there-is-no/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [During inflation, Goodwill is the gift that keeps on giving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/during-inflation-goodwill-is-the-gift-that-keeps-on-giving/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) [Browse all 22 Aa meeting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aa-meeting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "One Saturday in 1984, I walked into my first AA meeting. 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