Alcoholics Together Las Vegas

08/24/2025

Speaker meeting starting now. Tune in!

A Las Vegas LGBTQ AA Homegroup established 1984 with LGBTQ Pride AA Group # 134208, Area 42 District 9

08/16/2025

Alcoholics Together Las Vegas is having their fellowship bowling night on 9/18. https://alcoholicstogetherlasvegas.com/event-registration

08/14/2025

Movie Night Sept 6th after the 8pm speaker meeting. The Betty Ford Story

07/16/2025

07/06/2025

Thank you to everybody who came out yesterday what a great Fellowship experience with a mix of newcomers and long time members, great food great fun Great Fellowship. We must have had at least 15 to 20 that came, thank you for bringing all of the food and support in recovery. It was great to talk to a few newcomers who had just a few weeks and it was their first time doing something like this.

I remember when I was new how important it was to get connected it's great to be able to pass it on.

I didn't get a photo of of all of the meats that were cooked but we had a whole Grill full of hot dogs hamburgers and chicken and then another one of steaks

If you miss this Fellowship experience check out our website or flyers in the room and come to the next one whether it's a movie night or bowling or pool party as we develop those close friendships and ties and create the support that we need

The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous states, "God will show you how to create the fellowship you crave". This quote, found on page 164

If you're looking for an active Home Group in Las Vegas you found it alcoholics together serving Las Vegas since 1984, groups like ours are more important than ever especially today, to be able to connect and have safe and inclusive spaces that Foster Fellowship sponsorship and guidance and Recovery one day at a time

07/05/2025

🎆 Happy Independence Day from Alcoholics Together Las Vegas! 🇺🇸
Today, as America celebrates freedom, we honor a different kind of independence—the miraculous freedom found in sobriety.

As the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous reminds us:

> "We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness... We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace.”
— Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 83

In recovery, we learn a deeper truth: that real independence doesn't come from isolation—it comes from connection. As the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions puts it:

> “When we became alcoholics, crushed by a self-imposed crisis we could not postpone or evade, we had to fearlessly face the proposition that either God is everything or else He is nothing.”
— 12&12, Step Two

And in that surrender, we found strength. We found healthy dependence on a Higher Power, which gave us a new kind of freedom—freedom from the bo***ge of self.

> “We have entered the world of the Spirit. Our next function is to grow in understanding and effectiveness… We are going to be rocketed into a fourth dimension of existence of which we had not even dreamed.”
— Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 84

Today, let us celebrate the incredible independence of a sober life—the ability to show up for ourselves, for each other, and for the world with love, honesty, and clarity.

Happy Independence Day to all our fellows—newcomers, old-timers, and friends of the program. Together, we trudge the road of happy destiny.

With love and fellowship,
Alcoholics Together Las Vegas
💙 Est. 1984 | alcoholicstogetherlasvegas.com

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🎇 Special Invitation:
Join us tonight at 8:00 PM for our regular meeting, followed by a safe and sober fireworks viewing from our upstairs balcony! Bring your fellowship, your joy, and your freedom—we’ll be here to celebrate with you.

06/15/2025

Happy Father’s Day from Alcoholics Together Las Vegas
Serving the LGBTQIA+ Recovery Community Since 1984

Today, we honor the fathers—biological, chosen, and spiritual—who show up with courage, humility, and heart.

Whether you're a father in recovery, a son or daughter making amends, or someone healing from the wounds of a broken father-child relationship, Father’s Day in recovery is sacred. It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress, presence, and spiritual growth.

In The Family Afterward, the Big Book reminds us:

> “The spiritual life is not a theory. We have to live it.”
– Big Book, p. 83

Many of us came into these rooms having harmed or lost touch with our children, or deeply hurt by our fathers. Yet in recovery, we begin a new journey—one where we learn to show up for our families, our communities, and ourselves with integrity.

> “The alcoholic is like a tornado roaring his way through the lives of others. Hearts are broken. Sweet relationships are dead. Affections have been uprooted.”
– Big Book, p. 82

But it doesn’t end there. Recovery offers us the miracle of restoration.

We honor:

Fathers in recovery striving to become the men their children deserve

LGBTQ+ fathers, trans fathers, and drag dads raising and mentoring others

Dads rebuilding bonds through living amends

Children healing from absent or abusive fathers

Sponsors who father us with guidance, strength, and service

And all who celebrate chosen family in the beautiful diversity of our community

> “We are sure God wants us to be happy, joyous, and free.”
– Big Book, p. 133

From all of us at Alcoholics Together Las Vegas, we send our love to the fathers in our fellowship and to the families—biological and chosen—that support recovery every day.

Keep going. Keep growing. You are not alone.
www.alcoholicstogetherlasvegas.com

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05/27/2025

A Deep Dive into the Roots of Recovery: Honoring the Founders and Trailblazers of Alcoholics Anonymous
By Paula S.

Over the past several weeks at Alcoholics Together, we’ve embarked on a deep and moving journey through the history of Alcoholics Anonymous. What started as simple speaker meetings has evolved into something far more powerful—a spiritual excavation into the lives and legacies of the very people who built the foundation of our fellowship.

Amazingly, these voices have survived the test of time. In an age long before YouTube and streaming platforms, these messages were preserved through reel-to-reel tapes, crackling radio recordings, and old cassette copies passed lovingly between groups. They survived because people knew: these were stories that could save lives.

Our journey began with none other than Anthony Hopkins, the Academy Award-winning actor who openly credits Alcoholics Anonymous for helping him find peace, purpose, and nearly five decades of continuous sobriety. His honesty and humility set the tone for our exploration—reminding us that no one is beyond hope.

We then went to the source—listening to Bill W., the co-founder of AA, share about his spiritual awakening and the creation of the Twelve Steps. His voice carried the weight of experience and the awe of a man who had found grace through service to others.

Next, we heard Dr. Bob, the fellowship’s quiet spiritual anchor. Through his story, we felt the essence of one alcoholic helping another, and the transformative power of simple acts of love and humility.

Marty Mann followed—one of the most powerful voices we heard. As the first woman to achieve long-term sobriety in AA, she shattered societal expectations and helped bring alcoholism out of the shadows and into the light of public awareness.

We then reflected with Chuck C., author of A New Pair of Glasses, whose spiritual clarity and warmth guided us into the deeper emotional and philosophical layers of the program.

Our spirits soared—literally—when we listened to Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon. His raw honesty about the pressures of fame, depression, and recovery reminded us that addiction can touch anyone, and so can healing.

We were then inspired by June G. from Venice, whose speaker tape brought joy, grit, and deep wisdom. Her message carried the voice of experience and the undeniable presence of a Higher Power.

Clancy I., the founder of the Pacific Group, brought structure and spiritual discipline. His strong emphasis on sponsorship and carrying the message made a lasting impression, especially for those of us active in service.

We then honored Barry L., the first openly gay man in Alcoholics Anonymous. His presence in early AA helped solidify our Third Tradition: “The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.” Barry made sure that people like him—like us—would always have a place in recovery.

Finally, we heard the words of Jim B., one of AA’s earliest members and its original agnostic. He was instrumental in including the phrase “God as we understood Him” in the Twelve Steps, ensuring that AA could be a spiritual home for people of every belief—or none at all.

Through these powerful voices, we didn’t just learn AA history—we felt it. We stood in the presence of the fire that lit this path for us. We witnessed bravery, truth, spiritual surrender, and the unshakable determination to help others recover.

These men and women laid the foundation. Their stories live in us now. And as we carry this message forward, may we never forget: because of them, we are here. Because of us, their stories continue.

05/27/2025

Honoring the Many Tools of Recovery

Alcoholics Anonymous has always acknowledged that the journey to sobriety is not taken alone—and not sustained by willpower alone. From the very pages of the Big Book, we are encouraged to draw from a wide variety of tools and sources: spiritual guidance, medical science, psychology, literature, and fellowship. The text reminds us to “cooperate widely with the men of medicine as well as with the men of religion” and to be “quick to see where religious people are right. Make use of what they offer.” (BB, pp. xxi & 87). We are told not to hesitate in seeking the help of doctors and counselors, and we are reminded that there are many helpful books, prayers, and spiritual practices available through ministers, priests, and rabbis (BB, p. 570). In this spirit of openness and integration, the following article explores the foundational books, teachings, people, and spiritual movements that contributed to the creation of AA—and continue to support us in staying sober today.

Suggested Reading, Articles, and Influences from the Big Book and Early A.A.

Compiled by Paula S.

Alcoholics Anonymous didn’t emerge in a vacuum. The creation of the Big Book and the Twelve Steps drew from a rich tapestry of literature, religious philosophy, psychological insight, and lived experience. This curated list includes not only the readings explicitly mentioned in the Big Book, but also companion works, key spiritual leaders, and historical precursors that shaped the AA movement we know today.

Books & Thinkers Cited in the Big Book (with Page Numbers)

1. William James – The Varieties of Religious Experience

Cited in Appendix II: Spiritual Experience (pgs. 569–570), this book inspired the AA concept of a gradual “educational variety” spiritual awakening.

2. Carl Jung

Mentioned in There Is a Solution (pgs. 27–28). His spiritual advice to Rowland Hazard—“You need a vital spiritual experience”—helped shape AA’s belief in a Higher Power.

3. The Bible

While not quoted directly, Biblical themes permeate the Big Book. Particularly emphasized are:

Book of James (faith in action)

1 Corinthians 13 (unconditional love)

The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7; humility, forgiveness, and righteousness)

4. Oxford Group

Mentioned in the Foreword to the Second Edition (pg. xvi). Early A.A. co-founders were deeply influenced by its principles:

The Four Absolutes: Honesty, Purity, Unselfishness, and Love

Five Practices: Sharing, Confession, Guidance (meditation), Faith in God, and Restitution

Magazines & Articles That Boosted A.A.

5. Liberty Magazine – “Alcoholics and God” by Fulton Oursler

Fall 1939. Generated hundreds of inquiries to AA’s New York office (Foreword to Second Edition, pg. xviii).

6. Saturday Evening Post – Jack Alexander Article (March 1, 1941)

Sparked national awareness and massive growth. Mentioned in Foreword to Second Edition, pg. xviii–xix.

7. Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick – Book Review

Prominent pastor who publicly endorsed the Big Book in 1939.

Spiritual & Psychological Influences on Early A.A. (Not Directly Cited)

8. Emmet Fox – Sermon on the Mount and The Power of Constructive Thinking

His teachings were widely read by early A.A. members, especially in New York. Fox emphasized the law of spiritual cause and effect, affirmations, and divine connection through thought. These writings influenced AA’s focus on daily spiritual renewal, meditation, and the power of positive transformation.

9. Richard R. Peabody – The Common Sense of Drinking

Offered practical tools for sobriety rooted in self-discipline and personal re-education. His ideas helped influence the Big Book’s daily inventory and habit change suggestions.

10. Lewis Browne – This Believing World

Provided an inclusive, accessible overview of world religions. Helped Jim B. and others shape AA’s universal spiritual language: “God as we understood Him.”

11. James Allen – As a Man Thinketh

Explores thought power, moral discipline, and self-transformation. Although not cited directly, it aligns deeply with AA’s 10th and 11th Steps.

Catholic Influences and Clergy Supporters of Early A.A.

12. Sister Ignatia Gavin

A hospital administrator at St. Thomas Hospital in Akron, Ohio, Sister Ignatia was Bill W. and Dr. Bob’s key ally. She was the first to admit alcoholics to a hospital ward under their care in 1939. She was known for handing each alcoholic a Sacred Heart medal upon release.

13. Father Edward Dowling, S.J.

A Jesuit priest from St. Louis who became Bill W.’s spiritual advisor. He recognized the Twelve Steps as paralleling the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. He supported AA’s spiritual path, helped develop the Traditions, and remained a lifelong supporter.

Historic Precursors to A.A.

14. The Oxford Group

Founded by Frank Buchman in the 1920s, this Christian evangelical group emphasized spiritual surrender, moral inventory, and restitution. It provided AA’s early framework for sharing experience, confession, and practicing spiritual principles.

15. The Washingtonian Movement (1840s)

A 19th-century temperance fellowship of alcoholics helping alcoholics through mutual support. Although the group eventually collapsed due to political entanglements, it set a precedent for A.A.’s focus on mutual aid, sharing stories, and voluntary action—without outside affiliations.

A.A. Literature and Official Sources

16. The Doctor’s Opinion by Dr. William D. Silkworth (pg. xxiii–###)

Introduced the medical concept of alcoholism as a two-fold disease: physical allergy and mental obsession.

17. Appendix II – Spiritual Experience (pg. 569–570)

Defines the psychic change and spiritual awakening necessary for recovery.

18. Appendix V – The Religious View on A.A.

Summarizes acceptance by clergy from multiple faiths.

19. The Twelve Traditions (pg. 564–566)

Spiritual and structural foundation for how AA groups maintain unity and carry the message.

20. A.A. Grapevine Magazine

Launched in 1944, it’s A.A.’s “meeting in print,” offering stories, meditations, and fellowship news monthly.

Summary: Why This Matters

The recovery program laid out in the Big Book was not created in isolation—it emerged from a web of spiritual and psychological wisdom. From the Bible to the Saturday Evening Post, from William James to Emmet Fox, from Sister Ignatia to Father Dowling, these influences helped shape A.A. into a movement that continues to save lives.

Whether you’re new to the program or a seasoned sponsor, this list can help deepen your journey and broaden your understanding of A.A.’s rich roots.

1. “We cooperate widely with the men of medicine as well as with the men of religion.”

Location: Foreword to Second Edition, pg. xxi

Full Quote:
“Alcoholics Anonymous is not a religious organization. Neither does A.A. take any particular medical point of view, though we cooperate widely with the men of medicine as well as with the men of religion.”

2. “Ministers and doctors are competent and you can learn much from them if you wish.”

Location: Working With Others, pg. 89

Full Quote:
“Ministers and doctors are competent and you can learn much from them if you wish, but it happens that because of your own drinking experience you can be uniquely useful to other alcoholics.”

3. “We are quick to see where religious people are right. Make use of what they offer.”

Location: Into Action, pg. 87

Full Quote:
“Be quick to see where religious people are right. Make use of what they offer.”

4. “God has abundantly supplied this world with fine doctors, psychologists, and practitioners of various kinds. Do not hesitate to take your health problems to such persons.”

Location: The Family Afterward, pg. 133

Full Quote:
“We are convinced that a spiritual mode of living is a most powerful health restorative… But this does not mean that we disregard human health measures. God has abundantly supplied this world with fine doctors, psychologists, and practitioners of various kinds. Do not hesitate to take your health problems to such persons.”

5. “There are many helpful books also. Suggestions about these may be obtained from one’s priest, minister, or rabbi.”

Location: Appendix II: Spiritual Experience, pg. 570

Full Quote:
“There are many helpful books also. Suggestions about these may be obtained from one’s priest, minister, or rabbi.”

These passages clearly demonstrate how AA recognizes and affirms the wisdom of religious leaders, the tools of modern medicine and psychology, and the breadth of available spiritual resources—including prayer, books, and outside guidance.

05/27/2025

Suggested Readings-Big Book History

The Forgotten Books and a Man Who Shaped the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous
By Paula S.

In a powerful talk we listened to as part of our Saturday night 8:00 p.m. speaker series—highlighting voices going back to the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous—one speaker stood out: Jim Burwell, known affectionately as “Jim B.” In this 1952 recording, he spoke candidly about the origins of the Big Book, the foundational text of AA. His words not only offered rare insights into the literary and spiritual inspirations behind the program, but also gave credit where it’s long overdue.

Jim B. openly acknowledged three influential works that deeply shaped the Big Book’s philosophy, tone, and spiritual inclusiveness—books that helped define what would become a lifeline for millions around the world:

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1. The Common Sense of Drinking by Richard R. Peabody

Before there was AA, there was Peabody. Though he ultimately could not maintain sobriety himself, his book introduced groundbreaking psychological principles that emphasized self-discipline, re-education, and personal responsibility. Many of his approaches foreshadowed AA’s emphasis on one day at a time, mental renewal, and structured living.

2. This Believing World by Lewis Browne

This sweeping survey of world religions helped early AA members—especially agnostics like Jim B.—understand spirituality in universal terms. Browne’s work made it possible for AA to craft its now-famous spiritual openness: “God as we understood Him.” It allowed AA to welcome people of all faiths, and those of none, into a spiritual fellowship built on shared experience rather than rigid dogma.

3. The Varieties of Religious Experience by William James

Psychologist and philosopher William James provided the intellectual and spiritual framework for understanding transformation. His concept of a "spiritual awakening" or "psychic change" became the very heart of Step 12. James’ exploration of how people throughout history have had deep, life-changing spiritual experiences gave legitimacy and language to what recovering alcoholics were experiencing in real time.

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And Then, There Was Hank

Jim B. also lifted the veil on one of AA’s earliest champions—Hank Parkhurst, a businessman who helped organize and finance the publication of the Big Book. Hank wrote the chapter “To Employers” and served as Bill Wilson’s right hand during AA’s fragile beginnings. But Hank is often forgotten in AA history because, tragically, he did not stay sober.

Still, without Hank’s relentless efforts, business savvy, and early vision, the Big Book may never have reached the press.

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Why This History Matters Today

As we look back at the roots of AA, it's important to remember that its birth was not just a moment of spiritual inspiration—it was the culmination of wisdom, scholarship, trial and error, and human struggle. From psychology to world religions to lived spiritual experience, AA drew from many wells.

This history reminds us that no one path to recovery is exactly the same. AA was built to be inclusive, evolving, and open-hearted. And that spirit came, in part, from men like Jim B.—a proud agnostic—and books like This Believing World that made room for seekers of every kind.

It also reminds us that not everyone who helps build a movement will make the journey to the end. And yet, their contributions still matter.

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May we honor the literature, thinkers, and brave souls—sober or not—who laid the groundwork for what would become one of the greatest spiritual fellowships of the modern era.

“Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path.” – The Big Book

05/22/2025

Reminder, our Sponsorship Workshop is this Sunday.

We are having another Sponsorship workshop on Sunday May 25th at 2pm, in room and on zoom.