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Why Getting Sober is Challenging
The Issue at Hand In the United States, “alcohol-related death” tragically stands as the third leading preventable cause of death, claiming roughly 95,000 lives annually. Over several decades, alcohol-related deaths increased at an average annual rate of 7%, but startlingly, this figure jumped to 27% during the pandemic. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to severe…
Jim’s Chair
After years of adhering to the traditional extemporaneous style commonly used by AA speakers, I decided to take a different approach this time. I chose to compose and edit my speech in advance of the meeting. Although my delivery might have seemed a bit stiff and could have benefited from more rehearsal to appear more…
AA & Alcoholism FAQ
Here are a few answers to some frequently asked questions about recovery, Alcoholics Anonymous, and this website. Is alcoholics anonymous effective in helping people get sober? Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a 12-step program that provides support to individuals who are recovering from alcohol addiction. AA meetings offer a supportive and non-judgmental environment for individuals to…
Effective Communication in Sobriety: A Journey Toward Understanding
Introduction Improving communication is a cornerstone of our shared journey on this website. Whether in meetings, with fellow AA members, or in broader settings, delivering a clear message enriches all involved. Remember, this encompasses both verbal and written expressions. The Beauty in Authentic Communication True communication can sometimes be a journey in itself. Often, as…
Addiction and ADHD: A Deep Dive
Table of Contents 1. Introduction: Observations in AA Meetings Have you ever attended an AA meeting where, after the topic has been announced and discussed by several members, someone asks, “What’s the topic?” Or perhaps you’ve noticed attendees who can’t seem to stop fidgeting. These observations are more common than one might think. 2. The…
Simplicity and Complexity
In the journey towards sobriety, there are two sides to the AA coin. On one side is the elegant simplicity of abstinence from alcohol. Conversely, the other side reveals the complex tapestry of our lives, each one unique in its approach to sobriety. This dichotomy lends an endlessly fascinating aspect to the AA program. Once…
The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous – Divine?
Understanding the “Book Thumpers” in AA In the journey of recovery, individuals attending AA meetings will inevitably encounter those members known as “book thumpers.” These individuals uphold the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous as the ultimate and final source of recovery wisdom. The “book thumpers” or “AA fundamentalists,” as I call them, perceive the Big…
The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous – Human?
Absent Topics: From Sponsorship to Poly-addictions Newcomers to AA often find that the Big Book, while invaluable, is missing some critical information relevant to their journey. For instance, the text does not explicitly mention the concept of a sponsor, a critical component of recovery. Similarly, the book does not address topics like daily AA meetings,…
Sponsorship and AA Tradition
AA’s Open-Ended Design: A Blessing or a Curse? The structure of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) inherently promotes a certain level of unpredictability. The Twelve Traditions of AA make meetings largely autonomous, and the role of the AA sponsor is even more individualized. Sponsors often adopt personalized interpretations and approaches to the steps, despite having no formal…
Beyond ‘Keeping it Simple.”
A Long Journey to Sobriety I’ve embarked on a long journey of sobriety, attending countless AA meetings, listening to myriad stories, and absorbing lessons from the Big Book and other AA publications. I’ve sponsored individuals, engaged in enlightening conversations with old-timers, and have had the opportunity to observe diverse paths towards sobriety. But what wisdom…
