A man from Nepal reminds him that we don’t have the power to get people sober. We just hope and keep reaching out On a cold morning in February, I got a call from an AA friend who was working with a local ministry group that helped refugees and immigrants who had been given asylumContinue reading “We Never Give Up – Grapevine Article February 2020 by Alex M.”
Category Archives: Getting Started
Never The Same Again – As Bill Sees It #209
It was discovered that when one alcoholic had planted in the mind of another the true nature of his malady, that person could never be the same again. Following every spree, he would have to say to himself, “Maybe those A.A.’s were right.” After a few such experiences, often before the onset of extreme difficulties,Continue reading “Never The Same Again – As Bill Sees It #209”
Pitfalls In Early Sobriety – Grapevine Article March 2014 by Todd H.
A member with 120 days describes some of the things that proved difficult I am fond of saying, “Life does not stop while you’re recovering.” For me that saying applies to both failures and successes. Just because you decide to get sober does not make you immune to life’s challenges. Life is an endless seaContinue reading “Pitfalls In Early Sobriety – Grapevine Article March 2014 by Todd H.”
A Gift That Surpasses Understanding – Grapevine Article by A Priest April 1970
The spiritual experience in AA is something quite apart from formal religion, says this priest Frequently around the AA program we hear a person say, “The spiritual side of the program is not for me” or “I don’t go for the spiritual bit. As long as I don’t drink, I’m satisfied. I leave the pie-in-the-skyContinue reading “A Gift That Surpasses Understanding – Grapevine Article by A Priest April 1970”
Denial: A Story In 3 Parts Grapevine Article May 2006 by Victoria P.
The thick wall finally cracks for this hard-drinking lawyer What It Was Like… These days, I don’t so much fall asleep as pass out. I go to work because my legal career is the Potemkin village of my denial. As long as I’m working, I’m not an alcoholic. I don’t think this, of course, becauseContinue reading “Denial: A Story In 3 Parts Grapevine Article May 2006 by Victoria P.”
Lone Endeavor – Big Book Story from the First Edition
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”
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.”