Personal Stories

Recent Articles

  • A New Leaf on Life

    Written by, Anonymous My journey into recovery starts as a pre-teen. I was a survivor of childhood cancer– a kidney cancer– and my parents were superstitious so they did not tell me about my cancer until my pediatrician shamed them about this when I turned 10, 6 years after my treatment. I did not know…

    A New Leaf on Life
  • Summer Days

    Written by, Michael M. For me, sunny summer days were made for using. At the pool. Before work. After work. For BBQ’s. For hikes in the woods. My friend used to say that weed was a “guaranteed good time.” And for addicted me, summer was prime “party” time. My mind wants to reminisce about how…

    Summer Days
  • Step One

    Written by, Anna T. I have admitted that I am powerless over cocaine, marijuana, my boyfriend and all mind altering drugs.   My life is/was out of control – I couldn’t handle my bills and my relationship with my boyfriend. I was having a hard time getting up for work.  I was becoming co-dependent and resentful…

    Step One
  • THOUGHTS FROM THE FIELD 

    “Freedom from marijuana, alcohol, and all other mind altering substances” Written by, Carol M. There was quite a brouhaha about that statement a couple of years ago. Los Angeles County MA had incorporated and the four main groups of recovering pot addicts were unifying.  We had a meeting in Balboa Park and the Board of…

    THOUGHTS FROM THE FIELD 
  • Progress Not Perfection

    Written by, Mariska P. The Fourth MA Conference meant progress and letting go for me.  Just under two years ago, it was “us” versus “them” and now it is “we”, a true unified entity of marijuana addicts in recovery. My how far we have come. Imagine through all the different opinions and personalities, Marijuana Anonymous…

    Progress Not Perfection
  • Carrying the Message

    Written by, Andi A. The Twelfth Step tells us, having had a spiritual awakening as the result of the Steps, we tried to carry this message to other addicts and to practice these principles in all our affairs. I learned very early on in MA that service would help to keep me sober. It kept…

    Carrying the Message
  • Hugs, Service and Sobriety

    Written by, Tina K. Words can’t begin to express my feelings or explain the love that was generated through the 1991 World Conference. When I got clean and sober almost 18 months ago, I honestly didn’t think I’d have a good time doing it! I had a chance to be of service this weekend and…

    Hugs, Service and Sobriety
  • Hey, what’s this basket for?

    Written by, Loren N. The monies collected during our Seventh Tradition ultimately goes to carrying the message of Marijuana Anonymous, not only locally, but worldwide. When this is hampered, the addict is the one who suffers or dies. Most of us figured that the basket money went to rent, literature, coffee, and cookies. Whatever was…

    Hey, what’s this basket for?
  • Doin’ What Feels Good

    Written by, Dave K. I have always had difficulty understanding how and why people don’t do a lot of what feels good. In other words, when I first began smoking pot, it felt very good, so I did it a lot. Sex is the same thing. It feels good, so I do it – and…

    Doin’ What Feels Good
  • How the Promises Have Come True to Me Through Service

    Written by, Heather C. My time in active addiction was plagued by feelings of uselessness. I felt that I was not a “productive” member of society because I had to stop working due to chronic health issues, and receive disability benefits to survive. Initially, I abused substances more and more to try and push those…

    How the Promises Have Come True to Me Through Service