George Y. – Sober 30 Years

Every alcoholic raised in a dysfunctional family will readily identify with George's story. The unpredictable rage of his father and an emotionally deficient relationship with his mother set George on-track for alcoholism and drug use from the very start early in his teens. Lacking the basic direction and support from his parents, he migrated toward a life in which solace and comfort were provided by the substances he used and the people with whom he hung out. Dropping out of school after the 8th grade, George’s direction in life followed the route of wrong decisions made under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Brief stints in two rehab facilities in his teens ended with no handoff to AA and inevitably failed. Finally, a third rehab experience connected him with AA when he got out. That was over 30 years ago during which time George became firmly ensconced in an active and accountable AA Program. George’s success with personal recovery in AA has manifested itself in service to young people. Sharing his experience as an alcoholic teenager strikes a responsive chord with kids facing that very real prospect in their own lives. In the process of making his AA-guided service to others both a mission and vocation, George’s impact on the recovery community is broad, admirable, and transformative. As you listen to his story, you’ll gain a perspective of what it takes to use success in AA to make a difference to those young people who need it now or sometime down the road. I believe you will find enjoyment and inspiration in the next hour of AA Recovery Interview with my friend and AA brother, George Y. 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.]