Authentic Voices: Stories from Recovery School Students

ABSTRACT

One of the central elements of 12-step recovery is the story. Every member of a 12-step group has one and is expected to share it. These stories are told in full “speaker” meetings, but also in increments as people share “experience, strength, and hope.” The story of a “newcomer” evolves over time to become the fully developed story of an “old-timer.” Gradually, stories stop emphasizing “how it was” and are able to focus more upon the lessons learned and “how it is today.” One powerful aspect of recovery stories is that they tend to help the sobriety of both the listener and the teller.

Notes

1. This is in reference to the 2007 Joint Meeting on Adolescent Treatment Effectiveness (JMATE), at which all eight of the students represented here presented their stories and question responses as part of a panel.