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Service Work

Service work is a cornerstone of the Alcoholics Anonymous recovery process, representing the critical transition from self-centeredness to a life of purpose and altruism. In these speaker tapes, service is presented not merely as a set of chores, but as a spiritual praxis essential for maintaining long-term sobriety. The core principles center on the shift from the pursuit of material accumulation to finding peace through the shared experience of the fellowship. Listeners will encounter a spectrum of service, from the humble beginnings of mopping floors and passing the basket to the complex governance of the 12 Traditions. A recurring theme is the necessity of humility and the adherence to a group conscience, ensuring that principles always trump personalities to preserve the structural integrity of the collective. Through these personal accounts, listeners can expect to hear how service acts as a mirror to the alcoholic's previous isolation. Whether it is guiding newcomers or upholding the sanctity of anonymity, these narratives illustrate that the act of helping another alcoholic is often the very medicine required for one's own survival. These tapes emphasize that the miracle of recovery is not a single event, but is found in the continuous, disciplined work of showing up for others, effectively transforming a life of wreckage into a life of utility.

213 tapes

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All Tapes

Bill L.
The Character Defects He Found in the Salvation Army – 1965 – Bill L.
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Mike S.
Mike S. at the Luck of the Irish Roundup – 2005
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Robbie W.
The Immunity That Comes from Intensive Work With Others – Robbie W.
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Larry T.
Replacing Desperation with Inspiration – Larry T.
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Tom F.
The Truth That Keeps a Newcomer From the Nut House – Tom F.
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George G.
Why Money and Spirituality Do Not Mix – George G.
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Charlie M.
The Program Is Guaranteed to Work Under Any and All Conditions – Charlie M.
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Jack B.
The Feelings of Inferiority That Preceded the First Drink – Jack B.
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Howard P.
Why the First Half Pint of Whiskey Felt Like a Spiritual Awakening – Howard P.
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Chuck C.
The Physical Allergy That Made Him a Periodic Drinker – Chuck C.
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Russell S.
The Only Thing He’s Good At Is Plagiarizing – Russell S.
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Jay S.
The Rebellious Youth and the Lowerarchy of AA – Jay S.
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June G.
The Power of Showing Up for Your Commitments – June G.
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Keith L.
The Ism of Burnout – Keith L.
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Ken D.
The Disease of Perception and the Hamster Wheel That Keeps Turning – Ken D.
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Dave C.
Step 2 and the Sanity He Had Never Actually Known – Dave C.
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Tom O.
Tom O. at the 40th Anniversary – 1989
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John M.
The Bondage of Self and the Mirror He Couldn’t Look Into – John M.
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John P.
Why the Order of the Steps Matters – 1965 – John P.
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Tom I.
The Primary Purpose Group and the Way He Found Home – Tom I.
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Web S.
Tradition 4 and the Right to Be Wrong – Web S.
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Bob B.
The Gap Between the Thought and the Response – Bob B.
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Peggy M.
Step 5 Was Like a Cosmic Toothbrush – Peggy M.
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Pat R.
Sponsorship Without the Mask – Pat R.
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Charlie C.
The Connection That Levels the Emotions – Charlie C.
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