Fear of Firsts
Web Exclusives
| Grapevine Online Exclusives
By:
MJ I.
| Schamburg, Ill.
The first time you hit a party without drinking, check in with a fellow AA—and read this article
Just the Right Time
January 2025
| Spirituality and Prayer
By:
Shirley P.
| Agoura Hills, Calfornia
As she walked along the beach, exhausted from anger and ego, she thanked her Higher Power for saving her
No Ordinary Lunch
December 2024
| Remote Communities and Sober Holidays
By:
Anonymous
| Louisville, Kentucky
One day in a quiet suburban neighborhood, a meeting of two friends becomes a life-saving opportunity to reach out
A Beautiful Finish
July 2024
| Annual Prison Issue
By:
Drew J.
| Abbotsford, British Columbia
To celebrate milestones in their AA prison group, some members came up with a creative idea, and the results fit right in their pockets
So How Did I Get Here?
May 2024
| How the Steps Changed My Life
By:
Patrick J.
| Albuquerque, New Mexico
What made him say yes to that kind AA man more than four decades ago? Ask his Higher Power
Goodbye My Friend
February 2024
| Getting Through Tough Times
By:
Anonymous
| Pennsylvania
A member shares his love, fear and sadness as a longtime AA friend says he’s leaving the program
An AA Story
Web Exclusives
| Grapevine Online Exclusives
By:
Anonymous
From despair in rural Massachusetts to a fulfilling life in Paris – a story of letting go and taking responsibility
Love
November 2023
| Gratitude
By:
C.C.
| North Hollywood, California
The longer he stays sober, the more he learns the value of passing on that inner glow
A Job Well Done
October 2023
| Mid-Sobriety Challenges
By:
Matt L.
| Denver, Colorado
A determined newcomer shares his amusing journey of getting sober through service
Who’s in Charge?
September 2023
| Young & Sober
By:
George H.
| Kingston, New Hampshire
A member shares his thoughts on how AA is organized and who’s the ultimate authority
Truly belonging
June 2023
| Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
By:
J.B.
| Santa Rosa, California
From her earliest days, the“Twelve and Twelve” helped her feel part of. Who knew even more joy would come?
Doing The Footwork
Web Exclusives
| Grapevine Online Exclusives
By:
Anonymous
| Portland, Ore.
He thought he was only “sort of” an alcoholic—until he took the Steps necessary to admit he was powerless
The heart has is reason
July 2021
| The Annual Prison Issue
By:
Charley K.
| Olympia, Wash.
From a secular childhood in Kansas to a sober life of spiritual awareness was not as far as it seemed
Inside Issue
October 2020
| Money and Sobriety
By:
Steve S.
| Bloomfield, N.J.
Beaten by liquor and full of fear, he had lots and lots of opinions. Thankfully, because of Tradition Ten, we didn’t
Swimming with Mom
February 2017
By:
Romee D.
| New York, New York
Drenched in memories, she dove into the past to make amends to the woman who never gave up on her
Close call in Botswana
February 2017
By:
Loran H.
After a big move and a lot of traveling, she let AA slip away. Then one evening in Africa, an old visitor arrived
Last Chance
November 2016
He’d blown a lot of chances, but one last offer of help came his way, he grabbed it, and began trying to help other people
It Works at Work
November 2015
Angry and resentful at her coworkers, she stepped on toes and they retaliated. What was she to do? AA had the answer
The Angriest Newcomer
September 2015
She was desperate to take the edge off, but afraid to go back to her vodka martinis
My Lucky Day in Vegas
August 2015
Desperate to stay sober on a business trip, a newcomer takes action and wins big
Man of Many Talents
April 2015
By:
Eric K.
| Crosslake, Minnesota
His ride into AA service has taken some wonderful turns and he's yet to hit the breaks
Swimming through Sobriety
November 2014
By:
Laura C.
| Burke, Virginia
She found out that she could get as much joy from not drinking as she did from her favorite hobby
My Messy Valentine
February 2014
By:
Doug M.
| New York, New York
Some people lose their car on a night out—he misplaced his girlfriend
The Perfect Table
January 2013
By:
Laura J.
| Mammoth Lakes, California
On a crazy mission to update her kitchen, a newcomer hits the road to Reno
Plane Talk
May 2012
By:
Bill P.
| Eagle, Wisconsin
Reaching out to a stranger in the air lifted him up higher
Web Exclusive: A Family in AA
September 2011
By:
Deidra H.
| Bainbridge, Georgia
A woman tells how she sobered up in the same home group as her mother and brother
Caught on Tape
May 2011
By:
Brooklyn W.
| Jacksonville, Florida
He couldn’t believe the belligerent monster on the TV screen was him
Get a Commitment
March 2011
By:
Roxanne R.
| Valley Center, California
Her sponsor said she’d better start doing service if she wanted to stay sober
OUR SOBER NETWORK
May 2010
By:
TOM T.
| Harford, N.Y.
An AA carries the message through his service commitments
