Chris W. – Sober 18 Years

Chris W. shares a story of alcoholism’s unimpeded march through a man’s life, sweeping aside all of the talents and abilities to dominate his daily living. While alcoholism showed up clearly in his family tree, it skipped his parents and landed squarely on Chris with his first drink at 17. Though he excelled at sports, especially golf, his family’s move to Texas in his senior year in high school created a struggle to fit in. Fortunately, alcohol entered the picture and created the comfort and camaraderie he sought. Frequent drinking and marijuana use during his college years and early career accompanied Chris’ soaring talent on the links. But his growing use of booze, weed, and, later, cocaine, became toxic and infiltrated all of his decisions and ambitions. By the time he found AA at age 29, Chris’ life had deteriorated around him to the extent that his handicap no longer meant anything, compared to the handicap his alcoholism and addictions had created. As he dragged into his first meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous, Chris was clearly ready and willing to follow AA’s formula for sobriety and a better life. Since getting sober, Chris has burnished his sobriety by immersing himself in many of the service opportunities available in the AA community, most notably his involvement in a sober recreation committee in which he helps organize and promote sporting and social events for AA members throughout the area. He leads by example from the center of the Program, attending regular meetings and sponsoring other men. His enthusiasm for all things AA is infectious and leaves all who know him with a broad smile on their faces to match his. He is, without a doubt, one of the most upbeat people I know in AA and it was a joy to interview him. So crank up your old podcast player and indulge yourself in AA Recovery Interviews for the next 65 minutes as you listen to my conversation with my fine friend and AA brother, Chris W. 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 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.]