The Man on the Bed-Pete G_Lifeline 2015

How many of you have seen the picture titled: “The Man on the Bed”? I hope you have, we own it.  It is an illustration that was done by a Grapevine volunteer illustrator and presented to Bill W. in 1955.  It is a depiction of that first visit to St. Thomas hospital in Akron, where Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob talked … Read More

Understanding Anonymity – Copyright © 1981, 2011 Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc

GENERAL SOCIAL NETWORKING WEBSITES; Facebook  and  other  social  networking  websites  are  public  in  nature. Though  users  create  accounts  and  utilize  usernames  and  passwords, once on the site, it is a public medium where A.A.  members and non A.A.s mingle. As long  as  individuals do  not  identify  themselves  as  A.A. members,  there is no conflict of interest.  However, someone using their … Read More

So You Think You’re Different – John T_Lifeline 2015

So You Think You’re Different by John T. I’m an alcoholic! I was working for a large beer distributor and I was very successful in sales. What a great job, everyone drank. At least that’s how I saw it! That’s why when people would say to me; do you think you might have a problem with alcohol; I couldn’t understand; … Read More

The Wreckage of the Present – Preston B_Lifeline 2015

The Wreckage of the Present by Preston B.   Over the years I have witnessed people who seem to have been solid members of the program go out and drink again. The reasoning is inconsequential, because if they are real alcoholics, the only actual reasoning for them drinking again is that the obsession returned and they, once again, became powerless … Read More

Honesty – Thomas K_Lifeline 2015

One of the major parts of the foundation we must include in the building blocks of our sobriety is honesty. Without it we’re greatly lowering our odds of making this program of A.A. a successful part of our life. A bottle of our favorite alcoholic beverage is waiting for our failure in the program. It is extremely patient and will … Read More

Tradition Nine – Rob W_Lifeline 2015

“A.A. as such ought never be organized, but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those the serve.” The twelve traditions of AA is basically a set of rules or bylaws that restrict and constrain AA to a single focus – individual recovery within a group of other alcoholics. The Traditions section of The book Twelve Steps … Read More

The Principle of Justice – Susie S_Lifeline 2015

The Principle of Justice by Susie S. In my old Big Book, the word I wrote that corresponded to Step Nine was “discipline.” In the lists I found online, still other words were used. The lists were extremely similar with only slight variations on some of the steps. When considering the word, “justice,” I find that I that I have … Read More