The course will have a maximum of 15 participants, everyone a bit nervous and worried about being there with heavy drinkers and unsavoury types.
In fact, they are in the minority and most attendees are very reasonable people who regret their actions.
It can be very therapeutic to talk to others who are in the same position as you. No one is judgemental because you have all messed up, but under varying circumstances.
I have seen people arrange to keep in touch after their course, and one group even adjourned to a pub opposite at the end of the course. They invited me to join them, but I declined, pointing out the ONE of us was driving home…….