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[This is an encore of Episode 5, originally released January 6, 2021]. The original episode is available on this podcast by searching for or scrolling down to Episode 5 on your podcast app or by visiting aarecoveryinterviews.com.
Tom’s incredible story is one of a man whose life was turned inside out and upside down by alcoholism, drug addiction, and crime. From a difficult childhood, he emerged into a troubled adolescence, drinking at 14, shoplifting, and getting kicked out of high school. Hanging with the older boys, his drinking increased beyond sociable and his drugs got harder, culminating in ruinous heroin addiction. His 20’s and early 30’s saw him in and out of county jails and state prison, until his third felony conviction for armed robbery at age 36 finally resulted in a life sentence at a maximum security prison. With alcohol and various drugs widely available from other inmates, his life behind bars provided little chance of sobriety or parole.
Amidst the bleak realization that he’d spend the rest of his life in prison, there came a small spark of hope ignited by memories of the early AA meetings Tom had attended during his many stints in the county jails. Though he hadn’t succeeded with the Program in the past, he started going to AA meetings in prison brought there by a small group of dedicated members of the outside AA community. He found his sponsor inside, who guided him in working the 12 steps. Slowly, he began to turn his thinking and spiritual awareness around. Ultimately, he found that service to other inmates from a genuinely humble frame of mind gave his life newfound meaning and purpose.
But that’s just part of his story. You’ll hear the rest in the podcast. Suffice it to say that Tom’s AA program, forged in prison, was burnished in the years since he was released. He’s become a cherished member of the AA community and a vital part of the recovery scene. He’s a fine and trusted friend to many and one of my favorite people in the fellowship. So enjoy the next hour and fifteen minutes with my good friend and AA brother, Tom D.
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.
I also invite you to check out my latest audio book, “Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered From Alcoholism”. This is the word-for-word, cover-to-cover reading of the First Edition of the Big Book, published in 1939. It’s a comfortable, meaningful, and engaging way to listen to the Big Book anytime, anyplace. Have a free listen at Audible, i-Tunes, or Amazon.
[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.]