Peter M Conference of the Lakes 2026

Peter M Conference of the Lakes 2026

What can we learn from those who have battled addiction? This AA speaker session with Peter M offers exactly that kind of raw, honest sharing. Peter introduces himself simply: “My name is Peter, recovered alcoholic,” and from there he walks through a life that went from gifted young musician to homeless, traumatised drunk hiding in an abandoned building in Alphabet City.

You’ll hear how alcohol first felt like “warm and fuzzy” relief from childhood trauma, bullying and grief, and how that quick fix slowly turned into jail, institutions and suicide attempts. The heart of his talk centres on spiritual growth and relationships. Peter talks about his “soulful journey” in Alcoholics Anonymous, where his job now is “to accept and forgive” and clear the resentments that once poisoned every interaction.

He’s clear that sobriety hasn’t turned him into a saint: “You’re looking at a speaker who freely will tell you I’m broken and flawed,” he jokes, comparing himself to a squeaky old car that still runs because God keeps it on the road. There’s plenty here for anyone already in AA or thinking about it.

Peter describes his home group in Boca Raton, a packed big book meeting where people stick around chatting in the car park until they’re “eventually thrown out”. He stresses sponsorship, daily spiritual practice and staying active in service as the things that keep his ego in check and his sobriety grounded. Above all, this talk is about purpose: to stay sober and help another alcoholic.

If you’re wondering whether brokenness can ever be turned into something useful, Peter’s story might spark a fresh question: what could sobriety make possible in your life that alcohol never could?