Kim's story begins with a dysfunctional family in which there was verbal and physical abuse. With a family history rife with alcoholism, Kim’s childhood solution to the domestic chaos was to run away from home multiple times, only to be found and returned to the maelstrom . When she finally found alcohol, the solutions to her problems were quickly expunged by a can of beer or bottle of hard liquor. Toss in street drugs and the die was cast for a future of alcoholism and drug addiction. As all aspects of Kim’s life became ruled by the disease and she considered herself an alcoholic from the start. After a difficult time in high school and an alcohol soaked college experience, she continued heavy drinking and dangerous relationships well into her twenties. With the tenacity of an active drug user, Kim managed to keep her various jobs and functioned well-enough to support herself. But the disease eventually damaged all aspects of Kim’s life. Finally, beaten down and ravaged by her 28 years of emotional, physical, and spiritual damage of drug and alcohol abuse, Kim found the doors of Alcoholics Anonymous. 

Though it took a while for her to embrace the Program, Kim finally allowed herself to be surrounded by fellow AA members who offered her friendship and support.  The rest of her story is both inspiring and informative, and spoken from seven years of hard-won experience. I believe you will enjoy Kim’s words of wisdom and invite you to get comfortable while you enjoy today’s episode of AA Recovery Interviews with my friend and AA sister, Kim J.

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.]