How can one listen to their own instincts without them going off in a misdirected over done way?

The word Instincts are mentioned thought out the 12&12 and it suggests to find exactly how, when and where our instincts went astray it also says “Nearly every serious emotional problem can be seen as a case of misdirected instincts”. (12&12 Page 42) “The minute we make a serious attempt to probe them, we are liable to suffer sever reactions” (12&12 page 45 & 46)
Before A.A. no one has talked to me about my instincts. This brought the discovery within myself, and recovery with others around me. It has placed me on a journey beyond logic, truly another dimension, for instincts is not a thought process and comes before thinking. My misdirected instincts are where my alcoholism stems from making me different from our fellows. Alcohol is also called spirits
Harm defined in the 12&12, Harm—the result of instincts in collision in which we cause physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual damage to people. [12&12, page 80,]

Instincts, not being a thought process but a natural reaction weather good or bad. Alcohol warped my natural God given instincts and today in A.A. I get to live a second life style discovering these instincts within me and then applying them for what they were meant for.
years later I still come to A.A. one day at a time for the same reason I drank, I like the effect it has on me. As a direct result of the traditions my instincts don’t get in my way which push me into another personality, what a freedom, A freedom from not only self but from the suffering ones too.
How does one change there instincts.? Through action, the A.A. program goes against my warped instincts. Like showing up early, setting up meetings, Making coffee, sharing with individuals mainly being of service while not drinking have changed my instinct back to the natural God given state, Surly new ones flare up once in a while, they seem to be constantly changing along with emotional sobriety. But today I can live comfortable in my own skin without the drink. I don’t have to throw the stone out of reaction, I pause and can now drop the rock. I no longer use God as a pinch hitter when something is wrong.

When we were drinking we were not thinking and God gave us brains to use.