Paul's older brother and sister both died of liver disease caused by their intravenus drug use and untreated alcoholism. Paul’s own liver disease surfaced years into his AA recovery, but the irreparable damage he had done with heroin and heavy drinking in his teens and twenties persisted, only to drop him at death’s door three years ago. With zero liver function and two failed transplant attempts, his journey seemed at a tragically predictable end. But a last-minute liver transplant, followed by additional surgeries and 17 days in the ICU, helped Paul hang onto life. Since then, his vitality has returned.

Paul credits his Higher Power and the prayers and presence of his AA fellowship for his own survival. Today he is more active than ever in his Program. His experience and hard work in sobriety, both before and after his transplant, put his own past into sharp focus. Ardent step-work with a no-nonsense sponsor, helped him understand the dysfunction in his family of origin and his own history of loneliness and isolation. Without shutting the door on the past, Paul gained valuable insights into his own behaviors, both before and after joining AA. He also realized the absolute importance of meetings, service work, and fellowship after enduring a number of glum years during which sparse participation in the Program took its toll.

As a cautionary tale, Paul’s story is one of the best at illustrating the ups and downs of sobriety. That his present-day story is one of unquestionable reliance on a Higher Power and AA, is proof-positive of the redemptive power available to all who seek solution in the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous. I’m grateful Paul is alive today to share his experience, strength, and hope with listeners of AA Recovery Interviews.  So I invite you to sit back and enjoy the next hour and ten minutes with my good friend and AA brother, Paul D.