Archive of Old Posts

“Going back out.” Only three words, but in many respects the scariest three words we can hear in AA.  Many of us who have been out dread the thought of going…

Having been in and out of addiction, alcoholism, and institutions for 32 years, I’ve gratefully just celebrated my 4th year of recovery. It has been a hard, hard road as I…

Hi, I am a grateful alcoholic. I never knew this day would come, only because I have drank most of my adult life. I thought my life was wonderful. Me and…

A deep dive into the first 164 pages of the Big Book is just cover for a raucous girls’ weekend, right? In fact, the Women’s Big Book Retreat (WBBR) lived up…

Hello my name is Craig… Regarding alcohol, I have a little different story than most. I didn’t pick up my first drink until I was 42. I loved it. It was…

In April 2015 I woke up in a holding cell in the county jail. Only then did I realize that I was in the relapse that had been controlling my life…

Sobriety and mindfulness are cathartic and healing. I can just breathe and watch the universe unfold. This has healed any illness I have had. Mindfulness is a blessing in my sobriety.…

When I came to Alcoholics Anonymous, I was completely naive to the ways of the program and was very broken by alcohol. I knew of AA and thought, I have no…

-The following is taken from a recorded conversation with Pine J about his volunteer work out at the Utah State Prison. “In volunteering at the Utah State Prison, the reason that…

Carrying the Message: My name is Sean H. and I’m an inmate at Utah State Prison. I’m an alcoholic/ addict. I’m a resident of the conquest program in the prison due…

For a time I worked over on the Big Island of Hawaii. At the time I was not active in the program, after some time out I decided I needed a…

A person who performs a service willingly, especially helping other people and without pay. Salt Lake City AA Central Office is open 6 days a week – Monday thru Saturday. Each…

My name is Jacob, and I’m an alcoholic. I am 22 years old and this is my second time in prison. I get back out in a few days, and at…

When I was ten years of age, I was given a glass of whiskey and drank it straight down. It burnt and took my breath. Throughout my drinking years I did…

Traditions often get overlooked by sponsors who tend to focus on the steps, which are the core of the program. But the traditions are what keep the core going. The steps…

I’m not so sure that we did ourselves any favors by creating coming up with a shortened version of the Twelve Traditions. The short form is what’s read at most meetings…

My name is Evan, I am an alcoholic. I wanted to share with you my unexpected experience at the area 69 pre-conference: Friday, April 7th. I arrived at the hotel and…

By the Book (founded July 1989); an open meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous with Alanon participation. This was the second AA meeting I attended back at the beginning of my sober journey.…

I was leaving a meeting the other day and asked a friend “Will I see you tomorrow?” He replied, “God willing.” A little irritated, I said “Are you gonna be here…

What a gargantuan task this initially seems. Whenever I attempted introspection before recovery, I became anxious and full of self loathing, which led to heavy drinking and often suicidal thoughts. Throughout…

I recently I asked a newcomer if he would be willing to answer a few question about his experience thus far in sobriety. My intentions of this short interview was to get a…

  In early sobriety, I could not understand the reasons and effect of the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous. In fact, I was much concerned with stopping drinking that I saw…

My journey in Alcoholics Anonymous started in February 2005. And like most of us, I was fairly beaten up when I arrived at AA’s doorstep.  I was hopeless, helpless and by…

“Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” My first recollection of Step Two was while sitting in an AA meeting in the basement of…

At the time of his passing a month ago, I believe Ronnie to be the most tenured member of Alcoholics Anonymous in Utah. My memory is partial and probably not exact…

In the early 1990’s a Newcomer was looking at the AA Literature Catalog and saw the Big Book being sold in foreign languages. “Wow”, he thought, “we should get those for…

Fearless  It hasn’t been long since this has begun But this feeling makes me feel strong Started out a skeptic, but came out of my shell Now I’m open and I…

My last drink was October 16, 2015. I had convinced myself after a year of sobriety that I was non-alcoholic. I was just what the book refers to as a “heavy…

Step #3…my experience with step 3 goes something like this, there is a God (HP) and its not me – Never has been! I might have believed it once or twice…

The only thing an alcoholic may find more boring than a group business meeting is reading about a group business meeting.  With that in mind, I will try to make this…

This is part of that advice that we all receive as newcomers that accompanies, “Get a sponsor, work the steps.” Fortunately, I had the openness and willingness to follow that advice…

Early in my sobriety, my sponsor was constantly encouraging me to volunteer for every little thing that came up, so when they were looking for AA volunteers for prison, I felt…