The First Step House

09/29/2026

9/28/2026: Updated Schedule 😊

09/14/2026

Hi all, here’s our updated schedule.

ODAAT 😎

09/02/2026

Hi all, please see our updated meeting schedule as of 9/2/2026

Sunday - As Bill Sees It - Open AA. 5:30pm

Monday - Friday: Westside Serenity - Open AA Noon

Monday - Friday: Westside Recovery - Open AA 5:30

Saturday - Noon: Freethinkers -- Open AA Secular

Saturday - Come As You Are - Open AA 5:30

08/24/2026

The board would like to extend serious gratitude for the recent donations received to help the First Step House continue operations.

Thank you!

08/22/2026

A message from our board member, Gregg:

“There’s been a kerfuffle on the Westside between the two AA clubs. I take full responsibility. It’s my fault.

I tried to convince members at the First Step House that we had one too many buildings than we needed to service the Westside AA community, and that it may be propitious to dissolve the First Step House and join with Second Chance.

This idea was not intended to land like a bomb.

But before I had a chance to discuss the proposal with members at the First Step House, let alone, the Second Chance board, the message went public. No individual’s fault. Hot ideas have legs of their own. The point is: I was wrong. It will never happen. I apologize.”

08/18/2026

Daily Reflections for August 18

Getting Well

Very deep, sometimes quite forgotten, damaging emotional conflicts persist below the level of consciousness.

--Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, pp. 79-80

Only through positive action can I remove the remains of guilt and shame brought on by alcohol. Throughout my misadventures when I drank, my friends would say, “Why are you doing this? You’re only hurting yourself.” Little did I know how true were those words. Although I harmed others, some of my behavior caused grave wounds to my soul. Step Eight provides me with a way of forgiving myself. I alleviate much of the hidden damage when I make my list of those I have hurt. In making amends, I free myself of burdens, thus contributing to my healing.

08/17/2026

Daily Reflections for August 17

Righting the Harm

In many instances we shall find that though the harm done others has not been great, the emotional harm we have done ourselves has.

--Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 79

Have you ever thought that the harm you did a business associate, or perhaps a family member, was so slight that it really didn’t deserve an apology because they probably wouldn’t remember it anyway? If that person, and the wrong done to him, keeps coming to mind, time and again, causing an uneasy or perhaps guilty feeling, then I put that person’s name at the top of my “amends list,” and become willing to make a sincere apology, knowing I will feel calm and relaxed about that person once this very important part of my recovery is accomplished.

08/16/2026

https://alcoholics-anonymous.eu/general-post/the-second-surrender-interwoven-step-and-tradition-work-for-emotional-sobriety/

Note from the Editor: The following article was submitted by Daniel T. from the “Emotional Sobriety” meeting in Paris, France. It has been condensed for purposes of this newsletter; however, you can obtain the full workbook document, and audio from the links at the end of this posting.

08/16/2026

https://www.ashleytreatment.org/rehab-blog/5-tools-for-emotional-sobriety-in-recovery/

Emotional sobriety is the sidekick to physical sobriety, which is abstinence. Emotional sobriety is often the cornerstone of a successful recovery.