Young & Sober in Akron

I got sober when I was 23, back in the 1980s before cell phones and non-smoking meetings. At that time, I was one of the youngest members in my meetings. I recall the smoke-filled AA rooms where everyone appeared old to my eyes. My first service position was washing ash trays and coffee cups after meetings. I’m grateful I was assigned these service positions, as I had a difficult time interacting with people when I was new. Service provided a safe place for me to relate with others and to get to know people after the meetings.