"I have no idea how I made it this long, or what has kept me sober. But if I were to guess, I'd say that it has something to do with the slogan, 'Keep coming back -- no matter what.'"

"I can no longer use the illness of alcoholism as an excuse for anything. There is a catch, however. If I fail to use my recovery in service to others, I will become sick again."

"I've found the comfort, love, and support I need to pick up the pieces and try again after my setbacks ... I'm not alone in my journey."

"There are more amends to be made, letters to be sent, Twelfth Step work to be done, responsibilities to be assumed, and honest talks to be had with loved ones. Life is meant to be lived by facing the challenges it brings. Otherwise, I'm not living, just existing."

“A coffeepot simmers on the kitchen stove, a hospital sobers the stricken sufferer, general headquarters broadcasts the AA message ... All these symbolize AA in action. For action is the magic word of Alcoholics Anonymous.”

"Sanity begins with the admission of reality into the mind."

"The foundation stone of freedom from fear is that of faith: a faith that, despite all worldly appearances to the contrary, causes me to believe that I live in a universe that makes sense."

"AA is not a place; it's an attitude of mind, a warmth of the heart – a spiritual fourth dimension where material things can't get the upper hand."

"At some point in each today, we recovering alcoholics need to pay ourselves a friendly visit."

"I was told when I began my own journey through the Twelve Steps that I could find God in a most unlikely place: standing smack in the middle of the truth about myself."

"The group I joined saved my life ... For an hour, I was safe. For an hour, I had a haven among those whose fear had once been as great as my own. I did not give my fear away – they took it. They eased it from my grasp with hugs and laughter, with shared experience."

"My willingness to have my defects of character removed was bolstered by the realization that little, if any, spiritual growth was possible as long as I held on to my old ideas and defects."

"When life is easy, I usually assume it's God's way and I'm quite spiritual. But when I'm in emotional trouble, I assume life's a drag and that God's gone fishing."

"The effort to escape from truth is the father of anxiety."

"We neither ran nor fought. But accept we did. And then we began to be free."