Imagine living most of your life as a normal drinker, then finding out in your early 60’s that alcoholism has slowly taken over your life. My guest today, Judy H., faced this realization that alcohol was killing her from the inside out when she finally came into Alcoholics Anonymous at age 65. Though the “what it was like” and the “what happened” part of her story occurred when she was considerably older than most of my guests, her alcoholism was no less severe and her need for AA just as great. Now, after nearly 9 years working a very solid Program, Judy’s story is one that gives hope to those older alcoholics who may feel it’s too late in life to get help. Her frank and unabashed manner of carrying Alcohol Anonymous’ message to those who still suffer, has made her an invaluable and trusted servant in her AA community. Her understanding of the disease and her experience getting sober late in life, strongly resonate with older alcoholics, and provide hope that it’s never too late to change and find a new life in AA. So, whether you’re listening on the go or on the slow, enjoy the next hour with my guest and AA sister, Judy H.

Visit the AA Recovery Interviews website for more information and to contact me, Howard L.

To contact Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, visit aa.org.

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 word-for-word reading of all 11 chapters and more than 50 original stories most people have never seen. If you’ve only read the Fourth Edition, these amazing stories will be brand new to you. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Or listen on https://bigbookpodcast.com

[Disclaimer: In strict accordance with A.A.’s traditions, my anonymous guests and I speak for ourselves only, not for Alcoholics Anonymous at large. We share only our personal experiences with A.A. recovery. We acknowledge that AA’s sole concern is the recovery and continued sobriety of those alcoholics who turn to the Fellowship for help. As members of AA, our primary purpose is to stay sober and to help other alcoholics achieve sobriety. – Howard L.]