I was in a very bad state, mentally and emotionally and wanted to die; I was dying. I was useless to everyone around me, pushing them away. I come from a big family, and no one would come near me. I have learned a lot about that since. Speaking for meself, I was suffering from … More Kevin’s Story

East London Intergroup archives put on a mini event about our history and our members who walked the path before us. On June 17th, 2023, East London held an event at Kerbey Street, London This day of food, fellowship, and history. Our ‘Sofa Talk’ of two members, who spoke on the history of A.A. a … More Archive Mini-Convention, June 17th 2023.

I came into A.A. on 6th July 1995; my first meeting was in Chingford. ‘Kerry’ Kevin, Gardener Bob and ‘Glasgow’ Bill was doing the chair and a bloke called Brian. I remember Brian spoke about where the drink took him, and I had identification, especially when he said he came out of a blackout singing … More Ray’s Story

Fred has kindly put some words together and donated the picture of the St Clements plaque. Have butchers at the words below: – This stone plaque was cut to size and the wording carved at Lambeth College to commemorate the move of the Clements Hospital group to new premises. The stone itself is slate and … More St Clements Plaque

In 1997, my brother took me to my first A.A. meeting because my husband and sons were getting fed up with me. My husband called my brother, who lived in Surrey, and I lived in East Ham. My brother drove up one Sunday morning and took me to a meeting in Reading. I have no … More Zita’s story.

I was born in 1942 in Sunderland. My father came from there; he passed away in 1948 when I was six. When we moved to London, Custom House, my Mum was left with four children, later remarried, and had two more kids. We lived in a two-up, two-down home. My aunt lived downstairs, so there … More East Ham Mick’s story.

My sobriety date is 31st March 1984, but my first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting was in 1973. An American Psychiatrist 12 stepped me; his name has left me. He took me to St Vedest’s lunchtime meeting in St Paul’s. I hadn’t eaten for days, washed or shaved. The bloke doing the chair said he drinks a … More Joe’s story

I was born in The London Hospital, lived on Cable Street, and went to Vallance Road School. Growing up, I felt part of it even as a sick child, in and out of the hospital with asthma and eczema. I felt love and could do no wrong in my Mum’s eyes; she was a dinner … More Harry’s story.

Being young was tough. Mum was a psychopath and hated me. She terrorised me. Sometimes she’d be ok, other times she’d be in a rage. It wasn’t a nice place for my two sisters and me; it was mental torture. The physical side stopped when I was old enough to stick up for myself, but … More ‘Fireman’ Tony

It was around February 1982, and I called A.A. I’m not sure where I got the number. At this time, my 4-year-old nephew was sick in Whipps Cross Hospital, and I needed to drink to visit a child I love; I knew I was in big trouble with alcohol. The only contact with drink growing … More Chris’ Story