A speaker recounts a childhood fueled by adrenaline and early exposure to alcohol, from stealing drinks at twelve to high‑speed motorcycle escapades and teenage jobs in a liquor store. The candid story highlights how risky behavior masked deeper struggles, setting the stage for a long‑term recovery journey.
Kirk shares how childhood loss, frequent moves, and a quest for acceptance led him to early drinking, and how a decades‑long commitment to sobriety since 1984 has been sustained by supportive sponsors, friends like Ish, and the fellowship of meetings. He reflects on recent experiences at the “sobriety capital” in India and the power of humor and music in staying present and hopeful.
Mike shares his story of growing up in West LA with alcoholic parents, early exposure to adult environments, and the turning point that led him to AA. He reflects on finding his home group in St. Louis, his 35‑year sobriety milestone, and the importance of sponsoring and staying accountable in recovery.
In this candid talk, Brenda shares her 37‑year sobriety story, tracing her path from a chaotic, addiction‑filled family in Guatemala to finding steady support through AA and her sponsors. She reflects on early drinking experiences, lingering fear, and the tools that have helped her stay resilient.
Ben recounts a childhood marked by domestic violence, parental alcoholism, and early exposure to drinking. He reflects on how fear drove his destructive behavior and how he eventually found a path to sobriety and healing.
Janice reflects on a childhood marked by family conflict, early exposure to alcohol and Dexedrine, and a deep need to please others. She shares how these patterns fueled her drinking and how the support of AA has become her source of hope and belonging.
Billy shares his gritty upbringing in Inglewood, the early lure of alcohol, and how AA’s focus on actions over feelings helped him sustain 29 years of sobriety. He reflects on his first meeting, the influence of his sponsor, and the power of community.
Fred shares his turbulent path from a teenage drinking start, a music career, and combat in Vietnam to a turning point in 1988 when he chose sobriety. He reflects on family struggles, a near‑tragedy with his newborn, and the power of prayer and fellowship in AA.
Marty shares his long road to sobriety, reflecting on a family history of alcoholism, his mixed German‑Eskimo heritage, and the support of friends and sponsors. He weaves humor and gratitude into stories of birthdays, bar mitzvahs, and everyday moments that highlight the challenges and triumphs of living sober.
Linda shares her painful early experiences with alcohol, family trauma, teen pregnancy, and the pivotal role of the 12‑step program in rebuilding her life. She reflects on her sponsor Sharon C., the Pacifica Group, and the lasting impact of honesty and community.
In this candid share, a 21‑year‑sobriety veteran reflects on the stomach‑knots of craving, the quirks of navigating life’s anxieties, and the humble service roles that keep her grounded in AA. With humor and honesty, she explores how staying sober reshapes family life, community involvement, and self‑identity.
Brian, the speaker, shares his story as an alcoholic and his experience with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). He discusses how he first felt unwelcome at AA meetings and eventually became active in the organization. He talks about sponsoring newcomers to the program, including one person who was arrested just 37 minutes after saying he would take a day off from sobriety. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of honesty when working the AA steps. He shares his own struggles with lying and how he eventually learned to tell the truth.
Katzi shares her upbringing between a strict Brooklyn household and a wild Manhattan family, describing how early exposure to alcohol and drugs shaped her identity as a child of an alcoholic. She reflects on decades of AA involvement, the struggle for control, and the miracle of maintaining sobriety since 2011.
Yuko, The speaker, shares her story of alcohol addiction and recovery. She talks about how she fell in love with alcohol and how it changed her life. She discusses her struggles with sobriety and how she eventually found support through AA meetings. She also shares some of the positive things that came out of her sobriety, such as being able to continue playing drums in a rock band and maintaining relationships with her family.
Brian shares how early encounters with alcohol and a challenging childhood led him to AA, where he found lasting sobriety since 1992. He reflects on the support of his sponsor, his group, and the transformative power of the program.
Richard, the speaker, discusses his struggles with addiction and recovery in a meeting of fellow alcoholics. He talks about the importance of finding a sponsor and attending meetings regularly. He also shares stories about his relationships with others, including his girlfriend Chris and his friend Junior. The speaker emphasizes that recovery is not easy but worth the effort.
Yuko, a 27-year sober member of AA, shares her experience navigating childhood challenges, cultural isolation, and family dynamics in Japan. She celebrates the growth of bilingual AA meetings, her sponsorship work, and the supportive global network that has transformed her recovery.
Todd G. describes his early misconceptions about AA and how he eventually became an active participant in its programs. Through his involvement, the speaker found community, support, and a new way to live without alcohol. He details the steps he took to become more involved in the organization and ultimately became a panelist at meetings.
Rich shares how growing up around drinking, a family history of alcoholism, and a first taste of beer at a neighborhood party led him into a dangerous lifestyle. After a near‑fatal health scare and years of violence, he found hope through AA and the support of friends. His story underscores the power of gratitude, community, and the decision to change.
Tom L. shares his story as an alcoholic with fellow AA members in a weekly meeting. He talks about his struggles with addiction and how he found recovery through AA. He also discusses the importance of being supportive and helpful to newcomers, emphasizing that the group is inclusive and nonjudgmental.
Todd shares his 12‑and‑a‑half years of sobriety, reflecting on a childhood of constant drug use, chaotic adulthood, and the pivotal moment at age 41 that led him to AA. He highlights the significance of counting Friday nights sober and the struggle to connect with a higher power.
Tom shares his raw story of growing up in Spanish Harlem, his first drunken experience, and the spiraling years that led him to alcoholism. He credits his friends Sean and Ben and the AA community for giving him a chance at lasting recovery and encourages newcomers to keep hope alive.
Tim reflects on four decades of sobriety, confronting the realities of aging, Medicare, and the hidden self‑centeredness that fuels his addiction. He shares how early instability, perception shifts, and the search for connection inform his ongoing recovery.
Penny reflects on her 21-year sobriety, the power of AA meetings, and the friendships that sustain her, including her sponsor Veronica and friend Debbie. She shares candid stories of relapse, a false sense of control while abroad, and the importance of paying forward hope to newcomers.
Wayne shares his 46-year sobriety story, detailing his years in psychiatric hospitals, the mentors who guided him, and how reading Chapter Four of the Big Book transformed his recovery. He discusses sponsor relationships, the pitfalls of “reading ahead,” and the importance of sticking to the black‑print teachings.
Mike celebrates 21 years of sobriety while reflecting on how service—leading Cub Scouts and serving as an AA secretary—has deepened his recovery. He shares the impact of sponsors, community support, and the balance between personal growth and giving back.
Patti shares her story of growing up in a family where alcoholism was the norm, early exposure to drinking, and the pressures that led her down that path. She reflects on the impact of her parents, siblings, and college life, and celebrates 17 years of sobriety with gratitude for her sponsor and support group.
Nate reflects on a childhood steeped in religious rituals, early exposure to alcohol, and years of heavy drinking that spanned high school, college, and adulthood. After decades of self‑centered behavior, he achieved sobriety on September 10 1996 and now shares gratitude for his sponsor, group, and supportive friends.
Fernando reflects on his early exposure to alcohol in LA, mandatory AA meetings as a teen, and the long road to lasting sobriety since 1998. He discusses family influences, the importance of sponsors and community, and the ongoing challenges of staying sober.
John shares his path from a secret gay childhood and early drinking to discovering AA’s Quality of Life group and a supportive home group. He reflects on family alcoholism, anxiety, and how community helped him sustain sobriety since 2013.
David shares his 36‑year sobriety story, reflecting on early blackout drinking, the role of AA, and the support of his wife and fellow members. He highlights the challenges of early fellowship experiences and the gratitude he feels for a life rebuilt through community and faith.
Ryan recounts how early exposure to family dysfunction, neighborhood violence, and substance use shaped his path to alcoholism. He reflects on the role of fear, self‑knowledge, and the AA fellowship in sustaining his sobriety since 2011. His story highlights the ongoing challenge of confronting deep‑seated insecurities while staying connected to recovery.
Brent reflects on his upbringing in a remote Washington town, his first drink at 17, the shame of his hidden sexuality, and the welcoming, tradition‑rich AA meeting that gave him hope for recovery.
Armando shares his raw story of early exposure to alcohol, the chaos of his drinking years, and the relentless mental battle that continues in sobriety. He reflects on the role of sponsors, 12‑step principles, and the obsessive patterns that still surface, offering a candid look at staying present in recovery.
Sonny shares how childhood anxiety and bullying led to a rapid descent into both alcohol and drug use, revealing his early experiences with theft, violence, and the feeling of needing substances to survive. He reflects on the impact of co‑occurring addictions and the ongoing path to sobriety since 2013.
Brent shares how a childhood on a Missouri farm, family alcoholism, and early feelings of isolation led him to start drinking at nine. He recounts pivotal moments, including a funeral mishap, that highlighted his problem, and explains how a sponsor and weekly home group have sustained his sobriety since 1996.
Logan shares his 11‑year sober story, detailing countless detox attempts, treatment programs, and the crucial help he received from friends like Tim and the Midnight Mission. He reflects on his Brooklyn upbringing, an alcoholic father, and why daily fellowship remains essential to his continued recovery.
Rae opens up about a troubled childhood in a Filipino‑American household, the pain of feeling unloved, and the chaotic path that led to alcoholism. She shares how consistent AA support and a sponsor helped her stay sober since 2011, offering encouragement to anyone hesitant about staying in recovery.
Jim reflects on three decades of sobriety, highlighting how true friendship and shared challenges—like a broken truck on an off‑road adventure—kept him grounded. He explores the impact of a strict upbringing on his self‑esteem and how AA’s principles helped rebuild his life.
Josh shares a raw account of how early exposure to alcohol and a lifelong sense of not fitting in led him into drugs, weed, and heroin. He reflects on the impact of identity, the habit of seeking others’ approval, and the pivotal moments that guided him toward recovery and listening for similarities in the 12‑step program.
Jorge shares how growing up in a drinking culture in Puerto Rico masked his alcoholism, leading to binge drinking and drug use during college. He reflects on denial, the impact on family, and the moment a casual encounter forced him to confront the disease.
Mindy shares how a welcoming AA community and two lifelong sponsors—one of whom is a 94‑year‑old sober mentor—gave her the safety she never felt while drinking. She reflects on the 90‑meetings‑in‑90‑days guideline, the relief of realizing she isn’t crazy, and the impact of her chaotic family background on her early self‑medication. Her gratitude highlights the power of tradition, prayer, and connection in sustaining long‑term sobriety.
Peter reflects on his 39 years of sobriety, emphasizing the power of listening within AA and sharing how his family, career in TV, and a recent stroke have shaped his recovery. He thanks fellow members and sponsors for their support while encouraging newcomers to embrace the fellowship.
Serena recounts growing up in an alcoholic household, witnessing her father’s early sobriety and navigating a disruptive childhood marked by school expulsions and early exposure to alcohol and drugs. She reflects on how family dynamics, early fellowship in meetings, and teenage experimentation shaped her path, leading to a sober date of January 10 2001 and nearly three decades of recovery.
Josh opens the meeting sharing how early access to alcohol shaped his black‑sheep identity and set the stage for a lifelong struggle. He recounts his path into AA, the role of service work, and the ongoing challenge of staying self‑aware in recovery.
Diane reflects on her teenage years of binge drinking, blackouts, and drifting away from family, faith, and stable relationships. She describes how anger became a shield and how her early addiction led to a chaotic, unstable lifestyle. Listeners hear raw honesty about the costs of early addiction and the search for meaning.
Doug reflects on his unlikely start with alcohol despite a non‑drinking family, recounts his 37.5 years of sobriety and his role in the New Attitude AA group in Burbank. He shares memories of early sponsorship, greeting newcomers, and the challenges of staying true to AA traditions.
JR, an alcoholic in recovery, expresses deep gratitude to the Quality of Life group that saved a loved one and inspired a former client’s turnaround. He shares stories about the four‑point plan, sponsorship chains, and the daily commitments that define this vibrant recovery community.
Adam reflects on a troubled childhood, early drinking, cycles of rehab and jail, and the realization that his self‑worth was tied to more than the high. Through his Quality of Life group, he shares how confronting denial opened the path to lasting sobriety since June 2022.