The second wave
November 2023
| Gratitude
By:
Morgan J.
| Annapolis, Maryland
What saved him that day on the ocean...or all the other times he was drunk?
An Easier, Softer Way
Web Exclusives
| Grapevine Online Exclusives
By:
Kevin P.
| Philadelphia, Pa.
Walking into his first AA meeting turned out to be a lot easier than a lifetime of drinking
My own cup
March 2018
By:
Leslie Anne M.
| Antioch, California
More than 44 years ago, she walked in the door, picked up a mop and earned her place in the room
Rear-Ended
September 2017
By:
Paul H.
| Raleigh, N.C.
He was rear-ended on this way to a meeting, but only because his Higher Power really, really had something to tell him
Open-minded
October 2016
A long-time member shares about the challenges of being an unbeliever and helping others along the way
Three Floors of Love
August 2016
He’ll never forget his first year sober in that beloved old St. Louis clubhouse
The Ride I'll Never Forget
September 2015
He thought he was just riding his bike to a morning meeting. He had no idea he was making an amends
The Biggest, Meanest Dude I've Ever Seen
June 2015
By:
David S.
| Saugerties, New York
After his first prison commitment, an AA swears he’ll never do that again
The Pendant
June 2015
By:
Anonymous
After just one week sober, a newcomer treats herself—but little does she know she has already won the prize
Now I get it
February 2015
By:
Ricky D.
| Rochester, New York
Shaking and scared, a newcomer recalls his mom's early days in AA.
The Changes in Light
July 2014
By:
Jaime S.
| Avon, Colorado
A newcomer recalls the months and seasons of her first year sober
A Grand Hike
May 2013
By:
Elizabeth P.
At one year, a member gathers a sober posse for an adventure they’ll never forget
A Faith That Works
December 2011
By:
Mel B.
| Toledo, Ohio
An oldtimer with over 60 years of sobriety shares his experience
Web Exclusive: The Chip on My Shoulder
August 2011
By:
Jason K.
| Albuquerque, New Mexico
Anger at AA turns to gratitude and turns his sobriety around
Story Archive: Happy Birthday--You're an Alcoholic
April 2011
By:
Mike S.
| Port Angeles, Washington
What it was like
Forgiven
Web Exclusives
| Grapevine Online Exclusives
By:
Liza P.
| Melbourne, Australia
Letting go of fear and shame through the Steps
To Be Trusted
June 2025
| Annual Prison Issue
By:
Mark S.
| Agassiz, British Columbia
Thanks to AA and outside volunteers, a “lifer” stays sober and gets to share hope with his fellows inside
Life Beyond My Wildest Dreams
Web Exclusives
| Grapevine Online Exclusives
By:
Laura M.
| Palm Harbor, Fla.
She stayed on her pink cloud for decades with the help of God and AA
Complete Defeat
January 2025
| Spirituality and Prayer
By:
Cara G.
| Wichita Falls, Texas
She thought it was the world’s fault that she drank too much. It was the Big Book that set her straight
Letting go
March 2022
| Emotional Sobriety
By:
Carol K.
| Sarasota, Fla.
How a longtimer learned to observe her thoughts and identify her defects so they don’t take her freedom away
Confessions of a cookie longtimer
February 2022
| Getting Through Tough Times
By:
Sandy A.
| San Diego, Calif.
Out of all the service positions in which she got to serve, this one was by far the sweetest
Any Hour of The Day
March 2021
| Making Amends
By:
Karen M.
| Floris, Iowa
After her husband died, COVID-19 hit. Where was she to turn? Luckily, 24/7 virtual meetings came to the rescue
The color of love
December 2018
| Sober for the Holidays and Remote Communities
By:
M.D.
| San Francisco, California
In a big red house in San Francisco, heart after heart opens as AA shows up at his door
A Day of Love, Service and Turkey
November 2018
By:
Kevin D.
| Brockton, Mass.
A group anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving early—and to give thanks to AA through service
Spaghetti legs
August 2018
By:
Anonymous
| Haskell, Oklahoma
Dancing, camping, bowling and water-skiing! His life was definitely not over
The Slippery Slope
June 2018
By:
Ron G.
| Camarillo, Calif.
He was a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde drinker all his life—respectable, but with a hidden “inventory” of booze
