Michael’s Journey – From Sobriety to Relapse and Back Again

Michael’s story is a raw, powerful reminder of addiction’s grip—and the resilience it takes to break free. From his first drink as a teenager, alcohol became an obsession, leading to DUIs, stolen cars, and fractured relationships. After finding sobriety in AA, he rebuilt his life—only to drift away from the program, convinced he had "beaten" his addiction. Then, decades later, loss and despair pulled him back into drinking.

In this candid episode, Michael shares the painful lessons of relapse, the ego’s pitfalls, and the moment he realized: I don’t want the next 20 years to look like the last 20. Now sober again, he’s reclaiming the tools that once saved him—meetings, steps, and a higher power he defines as love. His journey asks a universal question: How do we stay honest when life convinces us we’re cured?

Listen for:

• The slippery slope of complacency in long-term sobriety

• How trauma and grief can reignite addiction—and the way out

• Why "crushing the ego" became Michael’s key to survival

A story of humility, hope, and starting over—with experience.