Service Keeps Me Sober

Service Keeps Me Sober

Audio Version

When I came into the Fellowship, I had no idea what AA was about. I knew nothing of the Programme of recovery, how it works, nor of the Steps and Traditions and the wonderful Fellowship that was about to love me back to life. After a sobering night in a police cell, where I hit rock bottom, I called out to God for help, promising that I would change, though I did not yet know how. The next morning, the police sergeant released me, giving me the Keys to the Kingdom. He said, "I don't know if this is a Christmas party gone wrong, or a habit in your life, but either way these people can help." A profound statement. No mention of the more common, "You're not a nice person to be around when you are drunk, you drink too much, you are an Alki, a wino, you're always drinking".

I took the piece of paper held out to me, with the website and phone number for Alcoholics Anonymous circled in pen. I managed to get myself home, looked up the website and found my nearest meeting, three nights from then.  Fear of my looming court case and the thought that I was now a criminal and could lose my job, kept me off the drink until then. A female greeter welcomed me and asked if it was my first meeting, to which I said, "Yes."  She brought me into a room full of people chatting and greeting each other with hugs. I was made welcome by the tea lady and she sat me down behind her. That night I heard about the gift of desperation which had brought me to my first meeting, the surrender as I realised I was powerless over alcohol and that my life had become unmanageable but more importantly I heard hope, these people were living life on lifeâ??s terms without the need to lift a drink. I wept as I identified myself as one of them, I had found my tribe.

Thank goodness for all those who do service, who keep the rooms open and are there for the newcomer. I was quickly pressed into service from my third meeting, helping set up the room, put out the chairs, arrange the literature and hang the scrolls. I graduated to tea making and eventually to female greeter. This was all in my first six months. I heard words of wisdom from the group secretary encouraging volunteers to wash up at the end of the meeting, "If your hands are in the sink, you can't take a drink!" In my first year I found a sponsor who took me through the Steps of recovery, a life changing experience, and who also suggested I do as much service as possible. Subsequently I became secretary for a spell at my home group. I then became GSR and attended Area and Intergroup, observing as much as possible. Group conscience became a place where I found a voice, and learned to live and let live and allow others the right to be wrong, including me. I have been a prison sponsor for the last two years and am currently the Public Information Chairperson for my Area.  My goal is to ensure the public know about AA, as the police officers did at my rock bottom.  

I am almost six yrs sober and delighted to have two wonderful sponsees, who have taught me as much as I have passed on of my experience, strength and hope.  Service is what keeps me sober and trudging the 'Road to happy destiny.'  I was told, "You need to give it away to keep it!" Do you?

JOANNE M.