AA Recovery Interviews with Howard L.

By the time he got sober, the dark cloud of alcoholism had engulfed Guy's life. After years of heavy drinking and drug use, that cloud all but obfuscated Guy’s best efforts to manage the disease. The cleverly-crafted lies and innate charm that had worked so well for so long simply stopped working. In the dozens of jobs he held over the years, Guy’s ability to work harder and longer than others always seemed to set him on the right track to success. But the effects of his worsening alcoholism gave his employers little choice but to fire him. Even then, his denial of the disease kept him mired in misery and self-loathing. Towards the end, the negative consequences of his behavior, including a DUI and more job-firings, became irrefutable evidence of a life circling the drain. Fortunately, what little exposure to AA Guy had had from previous scrapes was enough to spur him into his first meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous. He found a sponsor who took him through the steps and, slowly but surely, incorporated the Program into his daily life. Three years later, Guy is one of those AA members whose personal demeanor in and outside of meetings is one of humility and service. In the relatively short time I’ve known him, Guy is one of those sober AAs whom I feel is demonstrating the promises of the Program that always materialize if we work for them. Guy’s story is one of sanguinity and optimism. If you’re early in sobriety, I think you’ll find his story an important testament to the immediate impact of AA. If you’ve been around for years, you’ll recognize the enduring message of hope in everything Guy has to say. So, enjoy the next hour of AA Recovery Interviews with my friend and AA brother Guy R. If you’ve enjoyed my AA Recovery Interviews series and my Big Book podcast, have a listen to Lost Stories of the Big Book, 30 Original Stories Missing from the 3rd and 4th Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s an engaging audiobook I narrated to bring these stories to life for AA members who’ve never seen them. These timeless testimonials were originally cut to make room for newer stories in the 3rd and 4th Editions. But their vitally important messages of hope are as meaningful today as when they were first published. Many listeners will hear these stories for the first time. Lost Stories of the Big Book is available on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. It’s also available as a Kindle book and in Paperback from Amazon if you’d like to read along with the audio. I also invite you to check out my latest audio book, “Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered From Alcoholism”. This is the word-for-word, cover-to-cover reading of the First Edition of the Big Book, published in 1939. It’s a comfortable, meaningful, and engaging way to listen to the Big Book anytime, anyplace. Have a free listen at Audible, i-Tunes, or Amazon. [Disclaimer: AA Recovery Interviews podcast strictly adheres to AA’s 12 Traditions and all General Service Office guidelines for safe-guarding anonymity on-line. I pay all podcast production costs. AA Recovery Interviews and my guests do not speak for or represent AA at-large. This podcast is simply my way of giving back to AA that which has been so freely given to me. – Howard L.]

At age 13, Charlie suffered hydrocephalous and underwent the first of 5 brain operations over the next 8 years. By 15, he had begun using alcohol and pot both recreationally and to relieve his head pain. With sports out of the question, Charlie learned guitar and started playing in bands. His alcohol and drug use escalated through high school and college, and ultimately through law school. By the time he passed the bar exam and embarked on his childhood dream of being a lawyer, Charlie had become a functional alcoholic, drinking daily as he chased the goal of winning a multi-million dollar lawsuit. But even after he achieved that goal, Charlie realized that money and acclaim did nothing to fill the spiritual hole in his psyche. In fact, it resulted in him drinking more than ever, seeking relief and release. As years passed, his alcoholism was fueled by a fifth of scotch per day. A failed first marriage, and 3 arrests for DWI, drove Charlie into AA in 1992. But his refusal to do the work, and his resistance to God in the Steps, eventually washed him out of the Program. By the time he dragged back into AA in 1997, after 5 years of increasing drug use and sordid behavior, Charlie had finally had enough. He got a sponsor, started working the Steps, and established a relationship with a power greater than himself. Regular meetings, sponsoring other men, and doing service work all drew him into the center of the Program where he lives today. A healed relationship with his current wife and children as the result of the Program further solidified his commitment to sobriety above all else. When you listen to Charlie’s story on today’s AA Recovery Interviews show, you’re sure to hear similarities to your own story. As with all my interviews, Charlie’s willingness to share intimate parts of his life with listeners speaks to his love and concern for recovering alcoholics everywhere. His dedication to the Program and his ongoing desire to help other alcoholics achieve sobriety are radiant in his words and enthusiasm. So, savor the next 60 minutes of this episode of AA Recovery Interviews with my friend and AA brother, Charlie D. [This is an encore of Episode 37, originally released July 28, 2021]. If you’ve enjoyed my AA Recovery Interviews series and my Big Book podcast, have a listen to Lost Stories of the Big Book, 30 Original Stories Missing from the 3rd and 4th Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s an engaging audiobook I narrated to bring these stories to life for AA members who’ve never seen them. These timeless testimonials were originally cut to make room for newer stories in the 3rd and 4th Editions. But their vitally important messages of hope are as meaningful today as when they were first published. Many listeners will hear these stories for the first time. Lost Stories of the Big Book is available on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. It’s also available as a Kindle book and in Paperback from Amazon if you’d like to read along with the audio. Check out I invite you to check out my latest audio book, “Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered From Alcoholism.” This is the word-for-word, cover-to-cover reading of the First Edition of the Big Book, published in 1939. It’s a comfortable, meaningful, and engaging way to listen to the Big Book anytime, anyplace. Have a free listen at Audible, i-Tunes, or Amazon. [Disclaimer: AA Recovery Interviews podcast strictly adheres to AA’s 12 Traditions and all General Service Office guidelines for safe-guarding anonymity on-line. I pay all podcast production costs. AA Recovery Interviews and my guests do not speak for or represent AA at-large. This podcast is simply my way of giving back to AA that which has been so freely given to me. -Howard L.]

Getting sober at age 58, Steve had been drinking for 35 years with many opportunities along the way to acknowledge his overuse and later abuse of alcohol. But like many who got sober later in life, Steve managed his drinking, mostly limiting it to binges on weekends and holidays. Though it interfered at times during his marriage and in his relationship with his children, Steve held his marriage together for 14 years until his drinking resulted in divorce. He continued to drink and even attained success in his field, all while his increasing alcohol use caused deleterious consequences to his career and social life. Steve ultimately entered AA, though not necessarily to get sober. In fact, he hoped that attendance at AA would somehow absolve his need for the Program. Fortunately, he stuck around long enough for that attitude to change. As he attended more and more meetings, he discovered a solution to the problem he had been so reluctant to admit for so many years. By working the Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous with a dedicated sponsor and continuously attending meetings, Steve has solidified his place in Program. Through daily prayer and meditation, plus constant work with new men, Steve’s involvement in AA has become a demonstrative of a Program well worked. I believe you will find Steve’s story insightful and upbeat. So, get comfortable and please enjoy today’s episode of AA Recovery Interviews with my fine friend and AA brother, Steve R. If you’ve enjoyed my AA Recovery Interviews series and my Big Book podcast, have a listen to Lost Stories of the Big Book, 30 Original Stories Missing from the 3rd and 4th Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s an engaging audiobook I narrated to bring these stories to life for AA members who’ve never seen them. These timeless testimonials were originally cut to make room for newer stories in the 3rd and 4th Editions. But their vitally important messages of hope are as meaningful today as when they were first published. Many listeners will hear these stories for the first time. Lost Stories of the Big Book is available on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. It’s also available as a Kindle book and in Paperback from Amazon if you’d like to read along with the audio. I also invite you to check out my latest audio book, “Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered From Alcoholism”. This is the word-for-word, cover-to-cover reading of the First Edition of the Big Book, published in 1939. It’s a comfortable, meaningful, and engaging way to listen to the Big Book anytime, anyplace. Have a free listen at Audible, i-Tunes, or Amazon. [Disclaimer: AA Recovery Interviews podcast strictly adheres to AA’s 12 Traditions and all General Service Office guidelines for safe-guarding anonymity on-line. I pay all podcast production costs. AA Recovery Interviews and my guests do not speak for or represent AA at-large. This podcast is simply my way of giving back to AA that which has been so freely given to me. – Howard L.]

Nadia's personal story was published in the 4th Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous in 2001. She’s the first AA member I’ve interviewed whose backstory can be read by anyone with a Big Book. Combined with today’s interview, Nadia’s story comes alive in many ways, beginning with her emigration from France after World War II with her mother who had suffered as a slave laborer under the Nazis. Landing in Canada after the war, her childhood was a wretched time in her life, during which her mother was beaten by her stepfather, while Nadia was abused both verbally and physically. By the time she left home at 18, her escape was aided greatly by the same excessive use of alcohol that had helped her survive her teenage years. University and a law degree steered her into becoming an attorney, where her first years were spent in heart-wrenching criminal cases, before she moved into corporate governance law. As with many of the attorneys I’ve interviewed, heavy drinking quickly became part of her life. Like many other lawyers, Nadia was able to confine her drinking to non-work hours while she continued to function and even succeed in her legal career. But inevitably, the effects of her blossoming alcoholism, including hangovers and declining performance at work, began to intrude upon her work life. After some half-hearted attempts at sobriety, Nadia rapidly descended into the darkness of despair, from which the faint beacon of Alcoholic Anonymous finally guided her toward the rooms. Thoroughly licked, and ready to do the work, Nadia found AA in 1980, and immersed herself in all aspects of the Program, including sponsoring other women and all manner of service work, both in Canada and around the world. Though Nadia’s personal story is well-told in the Big Book, it’s the 21 years since that story was printed that truly enhance the tale of life well-lived according the principals of the 12 steps. It’s a tale that runs the gamut from tragedy to triumph, replete with human foibles along the way. I am grateful to walk alongside people like Nadia on the road of happy destiny. Whether you read Nadia's Big Book story before or after listening to this interview, I think you’ll be doubly impacted by the power and grace in both versions. So please enjoy the next hour and five minutes of this episode of AA Recovery Interviews with my new friend and AA sister, Nadia S. Check out Howard’s Big Book Podcast, the complete unabridged audio version of the First and Second Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous. The Big Book Podcast is an engaging cover-to-cover, word-for-word reading of all 11 chapters and Personal Stories, many of which were left out of the Third and Fourth Editions. Subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Or listen on https://bigbookpodcast.com [Disclaimer: AA Recovery Interviews podcast strictly adheres to AA’s 12 Traditions and all General Service Office guidelines for safe-guarding anonymity on-line. I pay all podcast production costs. No advertising is allowed. And no one receives financial gain from the show. AA Recovery Interviews and my guests do not speak for or represent AA at-large. This podcast is simply my way of giving back to AA that which has been so freely given to me. -Howard L.]

Chris lived a relatively contented life until the disease of alcoholism took over and landed him in AA at age 48. Unlike many in the rooms of AA who grew up in dysfunctional families where alcoholism and abuse riddled their formative years, Chris describes his childhood and adolescence as idyllic. Despite drinking in college and later the Navy, Chris’ adulthood was largely unscathed by his drinking. While he managed to marry, raise a family, and build a successful career, his generally moderate use of alcohol slowly escalated into full-blown abuse by his forties. Drinking with greater frequency and ferocity, he sought to hide the growing disease, but with waning effect. By the time Chris’ employers confronted him on his drinking, his career was in serious trouble and his marriage was strained. To save both his livelihood and his family, Chris entered AA. He immediately and enthusiastically embarked on a Program that became integrated into every facet of his life. The charmed life he had been living, until alcoholism took the helm, was reinvigorated by his work in AA and he now gratefully claims the happiest years of his life have been in sobriety. I’ve had the blessing to know Chris since we first got sober 6 weeks apart in 1988 and the privilege to attend literally thousands of meeting with him over the years. My relationship with Chris exemplifies the “brother” in brotherhood and I’m grateful to share his cheerful approach to the Program and his optimism for a future of contented sobriety. So please settle back and enjoy the next hour of AA Recovery Interviews with my close friend and AA brother, Chris S. If you’ve enjoyed my AA Recovery Interviews series and my Big Book podcast, have a listen to Lost Stories of the Big Book, 30 Original Stories Missing from the 3rd and 4th Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s an engaging audiobook I narrated to bring these stories to life for AA members who’ve never seen them. These timeless testimonials were originally cut to make room for newer stories in the 3rd and 4th Editions. But their vitally important messages of hope are as meaningful today as when they were first published. Many listeners will hear these stories for the first time. Lost Stories of the Big Book is available on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. It’s also available as a Kindle book and in Paperback from Amazon if you’d like to read along with the audio. Check out my Big Book Podcast, the complete unabridged audio version of the First and Second Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous. The Big Book Podcast is an engaging cover-to-cover, word-for-word reading of all 11 chapters and Personal Stories, many of which were left out of the Third and Fourth Editions. Follow us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Or listen on https://bigbookpodcast.com [Disclaimer: AA Recovery Interviews podcast strictly adheres to AA’s 12 Traditions and all General Service Office guidelines for safe-guarding anonymity on-line. I pay all podcast production costs and no one receives financial gain from the show. AA Recovery Interviews and my guests do not speak for or represent AA at-large. This podcast is simply my way of giving back to AA that which has been so freely given to me. -Howard L.]