George J. – Sober 39 Years

Ever heard anyone say, “Getting arrested was the best thing that ever happened to me”? As crazy as that sounds to normal people, if you’ve been around AA long enough, you’ve heard it, usually expressed along with gratitude. I’ve heard my guest, George J, say it many times over the years. His arrest on federal drug charges at age 19, after seven chaotic years of addition and alcoholism, was truly a blessing and marked the start of a new life based in sobriety and service.   Now, nearly 40 years later, George’s remarkable story of continuous sobriety in AA is one that demonstrates the gifts that are possible by working the Program and practicing its principles on a daily basis. Overcoming many challenges along the way, his years of AA service also inspired a successful career in the recovery field helping lots of people. Yet his work in Alcoholics Anonymous has remained his top priority. I’ve witnessed that priority in action over the last 30 +  years and George still inspires me, and many others, with his dedication to AA and its primary purpose of helping other alcoholics achieve sobriety.  I hope you will relish this next hour and 15 minutes of AA Recovery Interviews with my good friend and AA brother, George J. Visit the AA Recovery Interviews website for more information and to contact me, Howard L. To contact Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, visit aa.org. 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 word-for-word reading of all 11 chapters and more than 50 original stories most people have never seen. If you’ve only read the Fourth Edition, these amazing stories will be brand new to you. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Or listen on https://bigbookpodcast.com [Disclaimer: In strict accordance with A.A.’s traditions, my anonymous guests and I speak for ourselves only, not for Alcoholics Anonymous at large. We share only our personal experiences with A.A. recovery. We acknowledge that AA’s sole concern is the recovery and continued sobriety of those alcoholics who turn to the Fellowship for help. As members of AA, our primary purpose is to stay sober and to help other alcoholics achieve sobriety. – Howard L.]