August 2026 – Share Editorial
Dear Reader
Taking a drink used to be the answer to all my problems. Heartbreak, bereavement, the disasters of drinking the day before, parenting, financial worries — it always seemed that having a drink would make these difficulties more bearable. I was always trying to change the way I felt and of course, momentarily, I did. But when I sobered up, the issues were still there, and I’d often added a new problem to the mix. AA quickly taught me that ALCOHOL ISN’T THE ANSWER, it had certainly never made anything better if I was honest. If I kept doing what I’d always done, I’d keep getting what I’d always got. Drunk.
The first few Steps gave me the solution and after a few months, I realised I wasn’t even thinking about taking a drink anymore. What a miracle! I realise when I reflect on my recovery that Step Eight taught me such a lot about willingness, forgiveness and a resolve to do the next right thing. Reflection on my original attitude compared to the one AA has helped me develop reminds me how much serenity this change has brought to my life.
Tradition Eight is so important, if money was paid for Twelfth-Step work, I believe it would cloud my judgement in terms of primary purpose activity. I was taught that I must ‘give it away to keep it’. For my spiritual path to remain clear, it must be free of dangerous distractions like wondering what’s in it for me. We do need paid employees for some functions though, and huge thanks go to those who help us with Share magazine!
Speaking of primary purpose…Share magazine is ideal for carrying the message. Please encourage your intergroups and regions to invest in a regular subscription (10-20 copies is surely affordable). They can be ordered without the centre pages and used in doctor’s surgeries, prisons, probation offices, hospitals, homeless shelters, colleges etc. You could be delivering a lifeline. Thank you.