I get a quote in my email from the Alcoholics Anonymous publication, AA Grapevine. A few days ago the quote was something that I have thought for a long time. It said: “While I wouldn’t recommend that anyone become an alcoholic, I believe that sober alcoholics living the AA way of life have been blessed … Continue reading Seen & Heard: Everyone Could Benefit from the 12 Steps
Tag: AA
Working Step 10 of the 12 Steps of AA
Step ten in Alcoholics Anonymous is the first of the maintenance steps of the program. It says: “We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.” Steps four through nine allow us to see the truth about our past behavior and how we have treated others. With that new awareness … Continue reading Working Step 10 of the 12 Steps of AA
Seen & Heard: Service Is Important in Recovery
I recently saw a tweet that said this: “I said I was good and didn’t need to go to a meeting. My sponsor said, ‘Really? What about everyone else?’” A big part of going to meetings is meant to help us maintain our own sobriety. But AA works because it is one alcoholic helping another. … Continue reading Seen & Heard: Service Is Important in Recovery
No Addiction without Lies, No Recovery without Honesty
Last week, we went to an AA meeting and because there was a newcomer in the room, the topic was the first step. I love first step meetings. They help keep everything fresh for me. Those of us who have been in recovery for a while need to be reminded where we came from and … Continue reading No Addiction without Lies, No Recovery without Honesty
Finding a New Recovery Community
When I got sober in 2012, I learned that my sobriety depends on the people with whom I surround myself. I need to interact with other people in recovery to help me stay sober and active in my recovery. Fortunately, my husband, Austin, is a recovering alcoholic, the same as me, and we’re able to … Continue reading Finding a New Recovery Community
Why Do Some Make It While Others Don’t?
It's been a while! Life has been busy and this blog has suffered, but I'll save the update on life for another post. I feel like I need to write about something else right now. A couple of days ago, my husband and I went to a meeting. We met a friend of ours there … Continue reading Why Do Some Make It While Others Don’t?
Recovering, or Recovered? Which am I?
It’s been nearly four years since I took my last drink of alcohol, and since that time I have been to literally hundreds of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. It’s customary to introduce yourself before you speak at a meeting. I always say, “Hi, I’m Jami and I’m an alcoholic.” Some people introduce themselves differently, but it’s … Continue reading Recovering, or Recovered? Which am I?
Surrender to Win
There is a paradox in Alcoholics Anonymous that tells us that we must "surrender to win." When I first entered AA, I thought that it seemed kind of crazy that I would have to surrender, or give up, in order to get better. Wasn't that was I was already doing? I sure felt like I … Continue reading Surrender to Win
Alcohol Awareness Month
It's April and that means it's Alcohol Awareness Month. Every year the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence sponsors this month to increase public awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage people to focus on alcoholism and alcohol-related issues. And each year for the last three, I have spoken about alcoholism awareness at the college where … Continue reading Alcohol Awareness Month
Promises, Promises
The 9th Step Promises of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous say: If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the … Continue reading Promises, Promises