In Alcoholics Anonymous, "hitting bottom" is the point where an alcoholic becomes willing to try something different. These AA speaker meetings feature members describing their bottom, their first days of sobriety, and for some, the painful experience of relapse and coming back. The stories range from park benches to corner offices, because alcoholism does not discriminate.

What You'll Hear in These AA Speaker Talks

• Rock bottom stories: hospitals, jails, institutions, and moments of clarity
• High-bottom and low-bottom experiences — why the depth doesn't matter as much as the willingness
• First 30 days of sobriety: what it was actually like
• Finding a home group, getting a sponsor, and starting to work the steps
• Relapse stories: what happened, what they lost, and how they came back
• The difference between "not drinking" and actually recovering

For many, hitting bottom is where surrender and acceptance begin. From there, the path typically leads to finding a sponsor and starting the step work that builds a foundation for long-term sobriety.