Masks

Alienation begins when culture divides me against myself, puts a mask on me, gives me a role I may or may not want to play. Alienation is complete when I become completely identified with my mask, totally satisfied with my role, and convince myself that any other identity or role is inconceivable...

The man who sweats under his mask, whose role makes him itch with discomfort, who hates the division in himself, is already beginning to be free.

The Literary Essays of Thomas Merton: 381

I think alcoholics are especially able to appreciate Merton's comments.  While active we live under the mask of sobriety ("Hey, I just had one glass of wine.  I'm fine.") and recovery begins with the removal of that mask.  Full recovery, of course, doesn't stop there.  We have to live in the truth, however hard that may be and however far out of sync with the society around us that puts us.