My guest today is Ryan M., who was given tequila at age nine by his father to induce an aversion to alcohol. But Ryan actually liked it, especially the warm and wonderful feeling of being drunk. That set the ball rolling in a life in which the pursuit of ease and comfort would morph into serious addiction to alcohol and drugs. Raised as an only child, Ryan describes a happy childhood and adolescence largely unaffected by alcohol use. His accelerating use of liquor, and later pills and cocaine, carried him through high school and years after with few negative consequences. But the disease was right around the corner and caught up with him during his early adult years. Ryan was seduced by the common belief that he didn’t have a problem. By the time he did have a problem, his short forays of abstinence convinced him that he could stop whenever he wanted. The insidious nature of functional alcoholism had him believing that he could carry on indefinitely. However, each year on this merry-go-round took a greater toll and by time his disease got out of control, Ryan realized that he couldn’t stop. As is often the case, he made numerous attempts to stop, including multiple detoxes and half-hearted AA attendance. As his Jenga tower of a life was beginning to fall, he was finally ready and checked himself into his second rehab facility. From there, Ryan integrated a strong, solution oriented AA recovery into every facet of his life. More than 14 years later, Ryan’s reliance on AA remains strong, with active service work at the core of his Program.

I believe you’ll get a lot out of hearing Ryan’s story. Especially those listeners who have relapsed or faced uncertainty about staying sober. His encouraging words illuminate AA’s simple Program of action and the life-altering effects AA can create. Regardless of where you are along the road of recovery, you are sure to enjoy the next hour of AA Recovery Interviews with my friend and AA brother Ryan M.

If you’ve enjoyed my AA Recovery Interviews podcast, check out my latest audio book, “Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered From Alcoholism”. This is the word-for-word, cover-to-cover reading of the First Edition of the Big Book, published in 1939. It’s a comfortable, meaningful, and engaging way to listen to the Big Book anytime, anyplace. Have a free listen at Audible, i-Tunes, or Amazon. While you’re there, 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.

[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. 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.]