GaL-AA "Spotlight On Sobriety" 08/24/2025
- Steve N.
- Aug 24, 2025
- 5 min read
In this week's publication:
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The Importance of Reserves for Long-Term Success
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has long been recognized as a powerful program for individuals seeking recovery from alcohol addiction. While the 12-step program and community support are widely acknowledged as key components of AA’s success, one often overlooked aspect is the importance of reserves, both personal and organizational, for ensuring long-term sobriety and stability within the program.
Reserves in AA can be understood in multiple ways:
Personal Reserves - The emotional, mental and spiritual strength individuals build over time to maintain sobriety.
Organizational Reserves - The financial and structural stability of AA groups that ensures continued support for members.
Both types of reserves play a crucial role in sustaining recovery and fostering long-term success.
Personal Reserves: Building Strength for Sobriety
Long-term sobriety requires more than just abstinence; it demands resilience, coping mechanisms and a strong support system. Personal reserves help individuals navigate challenges and maintain their commitment to recovery.
1. Emotional and Mental Resilience
Recovery is a lifelong journey and setbacks are inevitable. AA meetings provide a space for individuals to build emotional reserves by sharing experiences, learning from others and developing coping strategies. Studies have shown that spending time with supportive AA members significantly increases confidence in maintaining sobriety.
2. Spiritual Growth and Self-Awareness
AA emphasizes spiritual development as a means of strengthening personal reserves. The 12-step program encourages self-reflection, acceptance, and a connection to a higher power, which can provide individuals with a sense of purpose and inner strength.
3. Social Support Networks
One of AA’s greatest strengths is its ability to foster strong social connections. Having a reliable network of peers who understand the struggles of addiction can serve as an emotional reserve, providing encouragement and accountability during difficult times.
Organizational Reserves: Ensuring AA and GaL-AA’s Longevity
Alcoholics Anonymous, GaL-AA and individual AA groups rely on financial and structural reserves to continue providing support to members. Without these reserves, meetings, literature, and outreach efforts could be compromised.
1. Financial Stability
AA and GaL-AA operate as nonprofit organizations, relying on voluntary contributions from members to sustain themselves. Maintaining financial reserves ensures that all groups within the AA structure can continue to function without disruption, providing a stable environment for sobriety and recovery.
2. Structural Integrity and Leadership
Strong leadership and well-organized meetings contribute to the effectiveness of AA. Groups that have established reserves such as experienced sponsorship and structured meeting formats are better equipped to guide newcomers and maintain a supportive atmosphere.
3. Accessibility and Outreach
AA’s ability to reach individuals struggling with addiction depends on its organizational reserves. Funding for literature, meeting spaces, and outreach programs ensures that AA remains accessible to those in need, reinforcing its long-term impact.
Reserves, both personal and organizational, are essential for the long-term success of Alcoholics Anonymous and GaL-AA. Personal reserves help individuals build resilience, maintain sobriety, and develop strong support networks, while organizational reserves ensure the stability and accessibility of AA meetings. By recognizing and strengthening these reserves, AA and GaL-AA can provide a lifeline for those seeking recovery, fostering lasting change and hope for individuals battling alcohol addiction.
Jim D.
SAVE THE DATE - Annual Meeting and Elections 11/01/2025
GaL-AA’s ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTIONS
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2025 @ 12:30PM EST
Via ZOOM
GaL-AA’s Annual Meeting and Elections will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 12:30 PM EST, via Zoom.
This has been an exciting and successful year for GaL-AA! During the Annual Meeting, each member of GaL-AA’s Executive Committee will report on the accomplishments of the past year and share what we are working on moving forward. Members will also be able to vote to elect members to the Executive Committee. There will also be an opportunity for members to submit questions that will be answered at the end of the meeting.
To attend and vote on important issues affecting GaL-AA, you must be a member with an email on file and have a Zoom account. If you don’t have a Zoom account, sign up for a free one and find more details on the Zoom App in your app store. GaL-AA will provide more details on this process as plans are finalized. Click here for Zoom App information.
If you are seeing this notice on one of our social media platforms and do not have a working email address registered with GaL-AA, use the QR code below or link to add your email to GaL-AA's email list and be a part of our exciting future. Join by clicking here.
This promises to be an interesting, informative, and exciting meeting. We hope you will join us!
Keep your eyes on our weekly SPOTLIGHT ON SOBRIETY for future developments and opportunities for service.
Yours in fellowship,
GaL-AA Executive Committee
🎉 OIAA 2025 Online International Convention
📅 November 14–16, 2025 Theme: Unity: At Home Around the World
Join us for three days of connection across time zones, cultures, and kitchen tables! Each day highlights different regions of the world, all united in recovery and shared experience.
🗓 Day 1: Asia, Oceania & the Americas – The sun rises on unity 🗓 Day 2: Americas & Asia – Midway moments of connection 🗓 Day 3: Europe, Africa, Asia & the Americas – Unity as the sun sets
Wherever you are, you’ll be right on time.
📶 Register now and join us from home — or anywhere!
Long Island Roundup – September 26–28 2025
The Long Island Roundup is a gathering in Fire Island, NY, for LGBT+ people in recovery who want a weekend getaway to connect, learn new tools, meet new fellows, and experience innovative workshops. We pride ourselves on a far-reaching community with attendees from Long Island, Fire Island, New York City, and beyond! This event has been held since the 1980s, and while the location has varied, we have consistently hosted it in Cherry Grove, as it is a wonderful and exciting LGBT+ destination. Our event is perfect for a quick day trip or a full weekend getaway to experience all that Fire Island has to offer.
This year, we plan to offer a wide array of workshops ranging from simple, step-focused recovery meetings to more complex topics that commonly impact people in recovery. Additionally, our program features related Twelve Step fellowships, and Al-Anon and much more. Our hope is that many aspects of recovery are embraced so that we can grow together. Please join us September 26–28!
If you have any questions, please email getinfo@longislandroundup.org.
Executive Planning Committee Long Island Roundup at Cherry Grove
To Register Click Here
GaL-AA's "Spotlight On Sobriety" features personal stories and reflections submitted by members and friends of the fellowship. The views expressed are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent those of Alcoholics Anonymous or GaL-AA.
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