Meet Our Speakers

Dale T.

"This spiritual journey, as outlined in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, has taught me the value of surrender and acceptance, key principles that have brought serenity and balance into my life. Each day, I seek to align my actions with the guidance of my Higher Power, understanding that humility and service are cornerstones to maintaining my sobriety. With each step forward, I embrace the lessons learned and cherish the support of the fellowship that stands by me through every challenge and triumph."

Natanya A.

"For the first 20 years of life with my alcoholic I was not a member of Al-Anon. I believed that his sobriety was his business. I didn’t understand that alcoholism is a family disease or, even more importantly, that I had my own disease that was impacting our family. I also didn’t understand that just because an alcoholic is physically sober that the disease could not run rampant through our home. In 2017 a crisis in our family brought me to my knees and I was desperate enough to find the rooms of Al-Anon. Working my own program of recovery has helped me understand the family disease and my role in it. I have seen first hand how recovery can heal a broken family and offer a life more joyous than I could have ever imagined."

Robby A.

"I came to Alcoholics Anonymous for my first meeting after a long weekend of unsuccessfully plotting a way to kill myself. A man properly armed with the facts about himself gave me a copy of our book, and talked to me about the unique ideas contained in the Doctor’s Opinion and the first 4 chapters. I called him that night after reading, and he asked me to pray. For the first time in my life I earnestly prayed “God, please help”. The room got quiet, and I couldn’t tell you if it was 2 minutes or 2 hours or 2 days, but I knew that I was going to be okay. That was August 21, 1996, and I have been physically sober since then. But staying sober, and being happily and usefully whole, has required a lot more than that one experience over 28 years ago. This process requires new experiences, shedding old ideas, working with others and a consistent daily practice to maintain a spiritual condition, something I have had to learn and relearn in AA."

Mari G.

I came to AA in 1984 a hopeless chronic alcoholic, having drunk away everything of value in my life: children, home, family. A wonderful man 12-Stepped me at 3 o’clock in the morning and shared his story. He was an alcoholic of my type. No one had ever understood my inability to stop drinking before. No one who had tried to help me had explained the phenomena of craving before. Slowly my sense of shame lifted as I listened to him. Stan gave me a copy of our book and promised if I followed the instructions contained therein, believed in a Higher Power, went to meetings and got a sponsor then I would never need to drink again. My dry date is August 10, 1984. All from one alcoholic doing a 12-Step call at great inconvenience to him. I’m forever grateful and have been passing that on ever since.

Sarah I.

"I don’t think anything sums up the last 12 years of my sobriety better than the line from Bill’s Story which states ‘Simple but not easy; a price had to be paid.’ The path to freedom has been anything but easy, but through embracing the design for living so beautifully laid out in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, I get to experience the necessary destruction of self centeredness and I have access to a God of my understanding. These perfect principles which I practice imperfectly have shown me a life I never thought possible."