On March 21, 1966, Ebby Thatcher died alone in a small apartment in Ballston Spa, New York. He was 69 years old. His death didn’t make headlines. There were no grand memorials, no speeches at AA conventions honoring him. In
The history of addiction treatment is filled with intriguing stories, but few are as captivating as the beginnings of the Charles Towns Belladonna Cure. Known later as the “Towns-Lambert treatment,” this so-called cure became a pivotal method for treating alcoholism
In 1953, nearly two decades after co-founding Alcoholics Anonymous, Bill Wilson penned a letter that would eventually become one of the most influential pieces in understanding the complexities of long-term sobriety. In it, he explored what he called “emotional sobriety,”
The evolution of recovery and healing philosophies reveals a striking contrast between early 20th-century spiritual approaches and more contemporary psychological frameworks. The Oxford Group, a Christian-based movement that heavily influenced the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), emphasized the concept of
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has long been recognized as a diverse and inclusive fellowship, welcoming anyone who has a desire to stop drinking. However, in the 1970s and 1980s, as the LGBTQ+ community began to assert greater visibility and rights, tensions
Cleveland, Ohio, holds a special place in the history of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) as the birthplace of the first official AA meeting, and it was also where the first AA book studies began. These early book studies were instrumental in
The first meeting officially named Alcoholics Anonymous took place in Cleveland, Ohio, marking a critical turning point in the early history of the recovery movement. This meeting wasn’t just another gathering of alcoholics seeking sobriety—it was a bold departure from
When the story of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is told, the names that come to mind are usually Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith, the co-founders who built a fellowship that transformed the lives of millions suffering from alcoholism. But behind
The Good Friday Experiment, conducted on April 20, 1962, remains one of the most pivotal and iconic studies in the history of psychedelic research. Also known as the Marsh Chapel Experiment, it was led by Walter Pahnke, a Harvard Divinity
In the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), spiritual guidance played a pivotal role in the recovery process. One such practice, “Two-Way Prayer” or “Guidance,” was a central element of both the Oxford Group—the Christian fellowship that inspired AA—and the
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), since its inception in 1935, has been deeply rooted in spiritual principles. One of the most profound yet often misunderstood elements of AA is the practice of meditation as outlined in the 11th Step: “Sought through prayer
Bill Wilson, the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), is widely known for his pioneering work in establishing one of the most influential addiction recovery movements in history. His development of the twelve-step program and emphasis on spirituality as a key