This first edition story has been reprinted in the AA Book ‘Experience , Strength , and Hope’ beginning on page 140 As a mother looked idly through a small medical journal, an article written by a doctor on alcoholism caught her attention. Anything in reference to this subject was worthy of perusal, for her son,Continue reading “Lone Endeavor – Big Book Story from the First Edition”
Category Archives: Getting Started
Making Room To Grow – Grapevine Article June 1997 by Ron D.
“Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.” So reads Step Six. After the guilt and remorse of my last drunk had faded, I didn’t think this Step had any application in my life. Now that I was no longer drinking I wasn’t a bad person. Character defects? I couldn’t seeContinue reading “Making Room To Grow – Grapevine Article June 1997 by Ron D.”
How an Atheist Works the Steps – Grapevine Article March 2003 by June L.
Even the ones with “God” in them My life was in shambles, and I was desperate, Following a third botched suicide attempt, I was threatened with commitment to a mental hospital. Or I could call AA. I chose AA. But I was skeptical that it was the answer because I thought I was just crazy.Continue reading “How an Atheist Works the Steps – Grapevine Article March 2003 by June L.”
You And I Need Each Other – Grapevine Article May 1977 by E.S.
On sponsorship and the newcomer DEAR JOHN: I could almost begin this letter “Dear Newcomer.” The only problem with that is, I want you to know how close I feel to you at this moment in our lives. Watching new people grow renews my sobriety, I hope I never lose interest in the personal joyContinue reading “You And I Need Each Other – Grapevine Article May 1977 by E.S.”
Borrowed Faith – Grapevine Article May 2022 by Michael C.
He was back in detox again, but this time was different. A fellow member helped open his soul The craving traveled a well-worn path that started in the pit of my stomach. It moved up to my heart, making it beat harder and faster. My heart ushered it to my lungs, which responded by takingContinue reading “Borrowed Faith – Grapevine Article May 2022 by Michael C.”
The Front Lines – Grapevine Article January 2022 by Tom L.
Dimly lit rooming houses, emergency rooms, even rooftops— he keeps reaching out. And once in a good while they reach back The man was sweating, shaking, almost incoherent in his pain. “We know how you feel,” my AA friend told him. “We’ve been there.” I was so nervous I didn’t know what to say. ThisContinue reading “The Front Lines – Grapevine Article January 2022 by Tom L.”
Clean House, Help Others – Grapevine Article by Gary D.
Helping others in AA has a ripple effect that spreads beyond what we can see I’m a meatcutter and in one job I had I worked normal 8 to 5 hours. In my spare time, I took meetings to halfway houses and other recovery homes trying to carry this message. I was all set toContinue reading “Clean House, Help Others – Grapevine Article by Gary D.”
Small But Mighty – Grapevine Article March 2006 by Jack H.
Three little words, one big difference My loneliness was a ceaseless, tangible thing, which gnawed away at my guts like a particularly nasty form of cancer. The cause of all this loneliness was that something inside me, beyond my control, made me vicious and frequently violent. I drank heavily every day in an effort toContinue reading “Small But Mighty – Grapevine Article March 2006 by Jack H.”
‘How It Works’ Works For Me – Grapevine Article October 2003 by Diane S.
As a newcomer, I first heard “How It Works” before I ever picked up a Big Book. It conveyed the essence of the program in a couple of minutes. Its repetition over the years has served as a general reminder. After all, alcoholics have short memories. Legend has it that Bill W. wrote “How ItContinue reading “‘How It Works’ Works For Me – Grapevine Article October 2003 by Diane S.”
From Control to Surrender Grapevine Article by Patti S
She couldn’t believe that she was actually an alcoholic until the night after her first meeting Although I didn’t start drinking until I was in college, my alcoholic mind was developing from the moment I was born. That I had an alcoholic mind in my teenage years was evident from the poetry I was writingContinue reading “From Control to Surrender Grapevine Article by Patti S”
GUGOGS 