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Amy’s fascinating story is one of early exposure to her father’s alcoholism and her mother’s active involvement in Al-Anon. But her parents also divorced when she was very young and she and her sister were shuttled back-and-forth to fulfill the terms of joint custody. Like many adolescents of divorced parents, Amy sought relief and release through the alcohol and marijuana she started using in 8th grade. The habitual use of alcohol carried her through a wild and colorful journey until she briefly tried AA in her early 20’s to ease her growing troubles. Unfortunately, she saw only the differences and few similarities in the infrequent meetings she attended. Deciding she could handle it herself, she spent the next couple of decades up and down in her addictions while raising four children and dealing with her husband’s escalating alcoholism. By the time she hit the doors of Alcoholics Anonymous, Amy’s life had been turned upside-down. A lengthy and difficult divorce in the early days of her AA membership nearly took her out. Had it not been for the AA women who surrounded her with tough love and constant support, Amy likely would not have made it. She immersed herself in the steps and service work sufficient to gird her against the continuing allure of her previously glamorous, yet alcoholic, life style.
Listening to Amy’s story it’s clear she is a woman who takes her sobriety and spirituality seriously. She imparts her hard-won wisdom to other women who reach out for help and can be seen at meetings making sure everyone feels welcome. Amy was quick to agree to my invitation to share her story, which we recorded directly after a meeting we both attend. Because she chaired that meeting, her demonstration of service to her group service was top-of-mind and a great starting point for the interview.
Please enjoy listening to this episode of AA Recovery Interviews as you soak up the words of active recovery gleaned from my friend and AA sister, Amy 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. 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 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.]