The International Convention is being held in the summer of 2025 in Vancouver, Canada. In this 60-second survey, you can help the AA office make the right decisions. … [Read more...]
Bill Dotson: The Man on the Bed and Alcoholics Anonymous Number Three
Bill Dotson, known as "Alcoholics Anonymous Number Three," played a pivotal role in the early history of AA, marking a significant milestone in the fellowship's development. His story is one of transformation, hope, and the enduring power of mutual support in overcoming addiction. Early Life and Struggles Bill Dotson was a prominent lawyer and city councilman in Akron, Ohio. Despite his professional success and active involvement in his community, Dotson's life was marred by severe alcoholism. … [Read more...]
Ebby Thacher: The Man Who Brought the Message to Bill W.
Ebby Thacher, often overshadowed in the history of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), played a crucial role in forming the fellowship by bringing the principles of the Oxford Group to his old friend, Bill Wilson. Ebby’s story is one of early influence, personal struggle, and a complex relationship with sobriety that offers a profound lesson on the challenges of addiction and recovery. Early Life and Connection with Bill W. Born Edwin Throckmorton Thacher on April 29, 1896, in Albany, New York, Ebby … [Read more...]
Self-Pity: A Barrier to Lasting Sobriety
Self-pity is one of the most insidious obstacles to lasting sobriety. Both Dr. Bob Smith and Bill Wilson, the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), frequently discussed the detrimental effects of self-pity on alcoholics. In the pages of the Big Book, "Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers," and various articles in the Grapevine, they highlighted how self-pity can sabotage recovery efforts. Understanding how self-pity manifests, recognizing its symptoms, and learning how to banish it are crucial … [Read more...]
News from AA World Services
AAWS Highlights Business of the Board from the March 2024 AAWS, Inc., Board of Directors meeting. Click the image (or here) to download the PDF and learn about what your World Services Board has been doing. … [Read more...]
Willingness: The Keystone of Lasting Recovery
When we talk about recovery from alcoholism, the conversation often turns to various strategies, support systems, and therapies. However, at the heart of all these discussions lies a single, pivotal concept: willingness. Without it, the journey to sobriety can feel like an insurmountable mountain. With it, that mountain becomes a series of manageable steps. The First Step: Acknowledging the Problem The first step in any recovery process is the willingness to admit a problem. This might seem … [Read more...]
The Sex Inventory: Unveiling a Path to Healthier Relationships in Recovery
The journey through the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous is deeply personal and often challenging. The Fourth Step is particularly daunting among the many steps, requiring individuals to take a "searching and fearless moral inventory" of themselves. Within this step lies the sex inventory, a critical yet often uncomfortable examination of one's sexual conduct and relationships. Talking about sex is difficult for many, and discussing it with a sponsor can be even more challenging. … [Read more...]
Print the New Email Registration Flyer
The Email Registration Flyer has been prepared for your group so they can quickly sign up for the District 2 email list. This list is set up to ensure that everyone in our district is informed about upcoming events and AA news. It's simple to do. If you're at your computer, download the flyer here. Or click the image to download the flyer. … [Read more...]
Effective Sponsorship: The Backbone of Recovery
The concept of sponsorship in Alcoholics Anonymous has evolved into one of the most vital components of the recovery process. A sponsor is not just a guide through the Twelve Steps but a mentor, confidant, and friend who shares their experience, strength, and hope to help others achieve lasting sobriety. Understanding the historical evolution of sponsorship and the tangible benefits of effective sponsorship helps to understand its crucial role in recovery. The Origins of Sponsorship in AA The … [Read more...]
Best of Jim W.
Jim Williams from Ft. Worth, TX was one of the most popular and funny speakers in the 80s and 90s. ** These recordings are pulled from Youtube and may contain advertising. If advertising is present, it does not mean that AA District 2 endorses any product or outside institution as prescribed in our 6th Tradition. … [Read more...]
Attraction, Not Promotion: The Heartbeat of AA Groups
The principle of "attraction, not promotion" has been a foundational tenet guiding Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) since its inception. This principle emphasizes AA's inherent value and effectiveness, drawing individuals seeking help through the power of personal testimony and -genuine connection. This principle has played a critical role in AA's success and provides concrete examples of its application within AA groups. The Historical Roots of "Attraction, Not Promotion" The principle of attraction … [Read more...]
Understanding the 100 Forms of Fear
Understanding the 100 Forms of Fear in Alcoholics Anonymous One of the central tenets of AA is the acknowledgment and management of fear. In the Big Book, fear is addressed extensively, emphasizing its profound impact on the lives of those struggling with addiction. It’s a powerful emotion that can paralyze us, leading to behaviors that perpetuate their struggles with addiction with extreme consequences in all aspects of life. The Big Book describes fear as an underlying factor in the issues … [Read more...]
2024 Mountain Top Round-Up Recordings
The 2024 Mountain Top Round-Up featured six speakers. It was held at Guntersville State Park again this year, and it featured a beautiful view and great fellowship for three days. In addition to six speakers, there were two meetings each day, a couple of workshops, and a hospitality room with refreshments from morning to night where folks could eat and chat. Speakers included: Al-Anon Susie R. from Birmingham, AL. Marissa W. from Sandy Hook, CT. Alateen Stephen W. from Sandy … [Read more...]
74th General Service Conference Quick Reference
It's amazing how much work gets done in the annual General Service Conference meetings in New York. Of course, it all starts with the work we do in the pre-conference efforts at the group level. That's why it's so important for our groups to participate in those tasks. With our efforts, we arm our delegate, Tomy G., to represent our voice in New York as the decisions are made. Most of the time, most of the members don't have any insight into the results though unless they attend one of the … [Read more...]
Bill’s Letter to Dr. Jung
The letter below, dated 1/23/61, was written by Bill Wilson to the eminent Swiss psychologist and psychiatrist Dr. Carl Gustav Jung. Bill considered it a long overdue note of appreciation for Dr. Jung's contribution to A.A.'s solution for alcoholism. The Big Book refers to part of the story on pages 26 and 27. His letter is then followed by Dr. Jung’s reply. My dear Dr. Jung: This letter of great appreciation has been very long overdue. May I first introduce myself as Bill W., a co-founder … [Read more...]