March 2025

Highlights from the March 2025 Issue:

This issue features a reflection on Tradition Three by Joe F., examining the principle that the only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking. The article revisits the Akron Group’s early debate about who could be admitted and how the decision to include those once considered “undesirable” shaped the fellowship’s identity and purpose. The piece highlights the role of group conscience, character over reputation, and the spiritual inclusiveness at the heart of the tradition.

A personal story by Steve B., “A Spiritual Awakening Through 12 Steps,” recounts his early struggles in sobriety, relapse, and eventual commitment to working the program through sponsorship and service. The story traces his journey from isolation, illness, and despair to rebuilding his life through honesty, amends, and active participation in the fellowship, eventually leading him into general service.

Neil contributes “The ‘My Kid, My Kid’ Trap in Recovery,” reflecting on attachment, relationships, and emotional dependence in early sobriety. The article explores how misplaced focus on repairing family or external circumstances can distract from the inner work of recovery, and how A.A.’s teachings help members ground themselves in spiritual rather than emotional outcomes.

“The First Rule of Sobriety is… Finding Peace” discusses material attachment, ego, and distraction through technology and daily life, using relatable examples to illustrate how modern impulses to compare, accumulate, or seek validation can destabilize sobriety. The piece emphasizes gratitude, detachment, and returning to simple spiritual practice as a way to remain grounded.