George J. – Sober Since 1981 (Replay of Episode 14)

[This is a replay of Episode 14, originally released Feb. 28, 2021] 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. 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. Follow us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Or listen on https://bigbookpodcast.com 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 testamonials 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 or as a Paperback book from Amazon if you’d like to read along with the audio. [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.]