Personal Stories

Recent Articles

  • Out of the Woods

    Written by, Anonymous Until I went on the MA Campout, I hadn’t realized I’d completely forgotten something very special. How the rhythm of the waves crashing on the beach make me feel alive and a part of something grand. The ocean has a permanence to it. The ocean, like God, has always been there, only…

    Out of the Woods
  • Addicts on Wheels

    Written by, Brian K. As the sun played hide and seek with the low level clouds hovering over the Southland, a group of MA members gathered in the parking lot of Venice Beach for District Six’s first scheduled bicycle ride on September 21st. Packing lunches and water bottles, the riders pumped up their tires, strapped…

    Addicts on Wheels
  • Thoughts from the Field: The First Step

    Written by, Anonymous I am a marijuana addict because when using pot, it was the most important thing in my life. More important than anyone or anything. It helped to suppress all the inadequacies I felt. It helped me not to feel the pain of not living up to expectations. It enabled me not to…

    Thoughts from the Field: The First Step
  • Yom Kippur and Sukkot

    Written by, Ellen B. As a Marijuana addict in recovery, my Jewish High Holyday season has a natural connection to working the Twelve Steps and practicing the spiritual principles daily. A New Leaf requested submissions for Yom Kippur and Sukkot, therefore this piece of writing will only focus on these parts of the holiday season.…

    Yom Kippur and Sukkot
  • October 1st

    Written By, Joel G October first, and as I seem to at this time of year, I’m thinking about my sobriety date—which is a few days away—and I’m thinking about how it’s been. I hear the neighbor coughing in his back shed and I can smell that skunky smell. He’s always out there around this…

    October 1st
  • Break Up Letter

    Written By, Andrea F. (Note: This was written 4 1/2 months into my sobriety) Dear Marijuana, This is my letter to you from when I first gave you up 4 1/2 months into my sobriety. As I’m coming up on my 4 year anniversary on August 23rd, 2025, I’m looking back at all the reasons…

    Break Up Letter
  • There Was A Reason

    Written By, David L. I started using at 16. As soon as I got my own stash, my addiction began. It started as my nightly routine, helping me to escape my anxieties and calm my mind. Deep, relaxing sleeps turned into obsessive use… smoking joints on the way to school, avoiding my parents to hide…

    There Was A Reason
  • Gifts of the Program

    Written by, Terri R. I got my nine month chip at a Glendale MA meeting this week. I am the type of person who reflects on my progress whenever I reach a milestone like this. Course, I am very proud of myself. However, I’m also thinking of all the gifts I received from the program…

    Gifts of the Program
  • Love and Understanding

    Written by, Terry M. In the book, “The Road Less Traveled,” Scott Peck defines love as “the will to extend one’s self for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s spiritual growth.” One of the first things I remember being told when I reached these rooms was “we will love you until you learn…

    Love and Understanding
  • Thoughts from the Field 

    Written by, John H. I believe in myselfI believe that every action for myselfgives value to myselfand if you are willing to actin love of youI believe in you The story of my recovery is the story of desire. What I desired was life, for I was living without desire. I did not know who…

    Thoughts from the Field