Talk About Bridging the Gap

It was right about my one-year sobriety birthday and I was wallowing in fear and self-pity. Some kids from the Indiana Conference for Young People in AA (INCY-PAA) swooped me up and made me a committee member. I had no car, was dependent on my father to take me to meetings and events, and was petrified of commitment. The second time I showed up at one of their outings, the chairman, whom I have come to love dearly, informed me that I was now a committee member. Car or no car, someone would make sure I was at their meetings and events.

The Power of H & I

Twice in my sober life, a Hospitals and Institutions (H&I) Committee has played a pivotal role. The first time was in Santa Barbara, California, when a panel of AA women came to hold meetings in the local jail. The second time was in Los Angeles, California, when a panel of AA men led meetings in a county mental institution. Both times, these panels reached out to me and helped to place me on the road to sobriety. I am deeply indebted to them.

Story of the Day: Now I Want Myself

I WRITE as a hobby, not as a vocation. However, I feel it only fitting that I pay respect in writing to AA, which has given me the wonderful life I now lead, one day at a time. Now I know who or what I am--an Aquarian black woman, thirty-one years of age, who is proud to know that she was once a drunk but is now a sober alcoholic. Read more >

One Giant Step

I WAS A GREAT word man. Knew all kinds of words, even had a certain facility with them. Glibness came to my rescue more than once when I needed a drink. Read more >

"The View From Here" -- Brian's Story

We have now, and will continue to have, differences of opinion with regard to the subject of drug addicts in AA, as well as the role of treatment centers and their relationship with AA and countless other issues. Even the controversy over the health effects of smoking has become a divisive issue. Whatever happens, however, I believe we should continue to protect our First Tradition. Read more >