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Ever wonder what staying “dry” for years without AA would feel like? My guest on today’s show is Julie H., a woman whom I’ve known for many years through a variety of meetings we’ve attended. As is often the case in many AA friendships, my knowledge of Julie’s story was limited to her brief shares and a little chit-chat after the meetings. For better or worse, I assumed that her 38+ years of sobriety were indicative of consistent participation in the Program. However, when I interviewed her, I was surprised to find out that, after getting sober , she’d spent more than 22 of those 38 years only marginally involved in AA or sometimes not at all. Her infrequent interaction with the Program, plus self-will were enough to keep her dry, “so-dry-ety” a friend of mine calls it. But the happiness and enrichment of contented sobriety through AA eluded her. Dreadfully unhappy, yet dry, Julie finally came to the higher-powered realization that she needed AA on a regular basis if she was ever going to be able to really enjoy her life. As a result, she re-engaged with the Program through regular meeting attendance, sponsorship, book studies, and daily service work. Her renewed commitment to AA and the fellowship have helped Julie build a life of contented sobriety.
Julie’s story is especially important for anyone who has contemplated getting sober in AA and then dis-engaging after a period of time to just stay dry. The Big Book is chock-full of stories of people who left the Program and stayed dry. Their dry-a-logues are tails of eventually getting drunk, or living dry, desperate lives of discontentment and loneliness. But for many of them, like Julie, returning to the rooms and the Program restored the key to many doors of contentment in sobriety and enjoyment of every day life. I’m beholden to Julie for bringing us her unique story. It’s one that both active and non-active AA members need to hear and share with others. It shows what life can be like if we let up on AA’s vigorous Program of action. So, please invite a friend to join you for the next hour as you listen to the vital words of my friend and AA sister, Julie H.
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: In strict adherence to 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.]