Category Archives: Depression

Rebel Without A Cause – Grapevine Article October 2009 by Ray A.

My parents abandoned me while I was still a baby, after my father put a bullet in my mother’s back. Raised by older relatives who were illiterate and very poor, and never feeling accepted by my foster father, I grew up with a sense of insecurity, fear and, at times, shame. I was 10 whenContinue reading “Rebel Without A Cause – Grapevine Article October 2009 by Ray A.”

Living Life Forward – Grapevine Article October 2005 by Pam C.

Sometimes, desperation can be a saving grace Let me begin by saying that I am not one who has drifted away from Alcoholics Anonymous. I have a loving Higher Power and a sponsor, I have an active service position in my home group, I attend several meetings a week, I sponsor women, and I’ve beenContinue reading “Living Life Forward – Grapevine Article October 2005 by Pam C.”

In Search Of Emotional Sobriety – Grapevine Article May 1989 by Anonymous

About a year ago I read an article written by Bill W. titled “The Next Frontier: Emotional Sobriety.” He wrote this article late in his AA recovery and it deals with that wonderfully terrifying realm–beyond not drinking. To me, it was the most powerful thing he ever wrote, along with the Big Book. It openedContinue reading “In Search Of Emotional Sobriety – Grapevine Article May 1989 by Anonymous”

My Cheated Heart – Grapevine Article September 2002 by Kellie E.

An exile in isolation finds that no one has to hurt alone Each of us entering the doors of AA has been filled with more than enough loneliness. My response was a stoic attempt to neither admit nor share that pain. My silent tears became an impenetrable wall of emotional isolation–and only alcohol was allowedContinue reading “My Cheated Heart – Grapevine Article September 2002 by Kellie E.”

Lily, Our Friend – Grapevine Article February 2021 by Andy A.

As Andy and his buddy share love with a struggling home group member, her story keeps it mighty real About 20 minutes after 8:00 one Saturday, while sitting in my morning AA meeting, my mind kept wandering to thoughts of a friend in the program. I’ll call her Lily. A little more than a weekContinue reading “Lily, Our Friend – Grapevine Article February 2021 by Andy A.”

Manufacturing Misery – Grapevine Article April 1993 by Bill A.

I must admit that there are parts of the Big Book I’ve never read. For instance, as a singularly single, bachelor alcoholic, now past 40, I have never felt it necessary to peruse chapter nine–The Family Afterward. But, as in so many other cases when I’ve cunningly cut corners, I also shortchanged myself. My sponsorContinue reading “Manufacturing Misery – Grapevine Article April 1993 by Bill A.”

Boredom Ambushes the Unwary – Grapevine Article April 1950 by J.F.

PAGING Solomon with all his wisdom! What makes some of us take that first drink? We can get as many answers to that perennial question as there are unfortunate slipees. It has been my experience that boredom sets an emotional trap for all of us. The eager beaver in AA, full of inspirational fire and fervor, veryContinue reading “Boredom Ambushes the Unwary – Grapevine Article April 1950 by J.F.”

At Last No Longer Apart – Grapevine Article November 1967 by F.M.

This is the third article in the Grapevine’s series by authors of the personal histories in the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous. The Big Book was published in 1939; the revised, enlarged version came out in 1955. Now, the author of “Stars Don’t Fall,” page 401 in the revised edition, reports on the vital experience–some of it roughContinue reading “At Last No Longer Apart – Grapevine Article November 1967 by F.M.”

Amends – Grapevine Article October 1965 by Dr. Hal S.

There is more to taking the Eighth and Ninth Steps than squaring things with other people A LITTLE rigorous honesty will reveal to any alcoholic that he “roared like a tornado through the lives of other people.” But when you start making a list of people you have harmed do you put your own nameContinue reading “Amends – Grapevine Article October 1965 by Dr. Hal S.”

It Takes A Realist To Believe In Miracles – Grapevine Article February 1986 by L.O.

WHEN I FIRST JOINED the AA Fellowship, I was told that alcoholism is a disease. I could easily relate to that concept and be at home with it, for I have lived with a severe, chronic disease since infancy. At the age of sixteen months I was diagnosed at Duke University School of Endocrinology asContinue reading “It Takes A Realist To Believe In Miracles – Grapevine Article February 1986 by L.O.”