Chris lived a relatively contented life until the disease of alcoholism took over and landed him in AA at age 48. Unlike many in the rooms of AA who grew up in dysfunctional families where alcoholism and abuse riddled their formative years, Chris describes his childhood and adolescence as idyllic. Despite drinking in college and later the Navy, Chris’ adulthood was largely unscathed by his drinking. While he managed to marry, raise a family, and build a successful career, his generally moderate use of alcohol slowly escalated into full-blown abuse by his forties. Drinking with greater frequency and ferocity, he sought to hide the growing disease, but with waning effect. By the time Chris’ employers confronted him on his drinking, his career was in serious trouble and his marriage was strained. To save both his livelihood and his family, Chris entered AA. He immediately and enthusiastically embarked on a Program that became integrated into every facet of his life. The charmed life he had been living, until alcoholism took the helm, was reinvigorated by his work in AA and he now gratefully claims the happiest years of his life have been in sobriety.

I’ve had the blessing to know Chris since we first got sober 6 weeks apart in 1988 and the privilege to attend literally thousands of meeting with him over the years. My relationship with Chris exemplifies the “brother” in brotherhood and I’m grateful to share his cheerful approach to the Program and his optimism for a future of contented sobriety. So please settle back and enjoy the next hour of AA Recovery Interviews with my close friend and AA brother, Chris S.

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.]