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William’s story speaks to the devastating effects of alcohol on a life already afflicted with mental health issues. Raised in a drug-infested part of London, William describes his childhood as horrible amidst family members who were sex workers. Rather than be shielded as a child from this dysfunctional environment, he was exposed to it to learn the harsh realities of life. Seeking relief from the daily horrors, William found alcohol at 11, and proceeded on an 8-year odyssey during which he lived on the streets of south London. For years, he remained isolated in worsening mental illness that was increasingly fueled by his alcoholism. Sleeping on cemetery benches and hustling just to stay alive, William slipped through all of London’s social service nets available at the time, and was completely ignored by society. As he became sicker from alcoholism and his life on the streets, his options evaporated and suicide appeared as the only way out. Fortunately, the bottom William hit didn’t kill him, but left him on the doorstep of Alcoholics Anonymous at age 19. He entered the rooms shirtless with piercings, an orange mohawk, and floor-length black leather coat. He was unexpectantly welcomed by a well-dressed middle-aged woman who simply offered him tea. That small gesture of kindness was enough to keep him coming back for days and weeks to come. Still feeling the outsider, even within AA, William’s response to AA was largely anti-social for a number of years during his early sobriety. He kept largely to himself and his relentless study of the Big Book and AA literature. Over time, however, William’s self-imposed boundaries lowered enough for him to experience the gifts of fellowship and service to others. From that point until today, William has become a valuable member of several home groups and purveyor of service throughout his London AA community, as well as online via Zoom. Throughout his 23 years of sobriety, he has often considered himself an “odd duck” in AA. But, his actual work in the Program has kept him firmly anchored to his own sobriety while facing his life with growing humility borne of actual experience of working with others.
William’s story is a fascinating journey from physical, mental, and spiritual destitution to total redemption at the hands of AA fellowship. His well-worked program and daily presence in AA meetings has uplifted many whom he has touched with his simple message of hope. I’m grateful for William’s friendship and believe his story on this episode of AA Recovery Interviews will touch listeners on many levels.
So gather your biscuits and tea, sit back, and enjoy the next 65 minutes with my mate and AA brother from across the pond, William B.
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: 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. No advertising is allowed. 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.]