The Boiled Owl

Jean started drinking at 15 and stopped at 45. She was home alone often and her body would scream for alcohol. She drank wine from a coffee mug. She was miserable when her husband was home because she had to be sober then. Her last drink wasn't her choice. She went to a 28-day program and then a long-term recovery center for 3 months. She went to a meeting daily for 2 years. Speaker meetings were important in her early recovery - "Identify, don't compare."

Jean's sobriety date is 12MAY1983 and her home group is It's In The Book in Greensboro, NC.

Originally aired Dec 15, 2018

John started with drugs at 13. In middle and high school, his friends could just do weekends but John couldn't stop. At 14, he went to his first meeting (NA), did 90 in 90, got 6 months and did some stepwork. He tried many other times to get sober, but it never stuck. At 16, he was in treatment for 6 months and got drunk and high within 2 weeks of leaving. He considered suicide for a year and gave AA one more try. His 4th Step was a particularly powerful experience.

John's sobriety date is 22JUN2013 and his home group is Young People in Greensboro, NC.

Originally aired Dec 1, 2018

What?! It's that time of year again?!??! Boiled Owl alumni, Alex and Miranda, join us again to talk about the holidays. Hold on, this one's a hoot!

Originally aired Nov 15, 2018

Reality set in after Karen's husband left, furthering her drinking. Her first chip was a start-over chip. She didn't understand sponsorship at first and then got a sponsor at 6 months. Gratitude was a big part of her early recovery. For Karen, Step 5 was public and painful but allowed self-forgiveness.

Karen's home group is Big Book No Smoke in Greensboro, NC, and her sobriety date is 04MAY1997.

Originally aired Nov 1, 2018

Steve came to AA on crutches, having jumped out of a moving car in a blackout. His first sponsor was assigned to him. He started drinking and using drugs at 11. He yelled at God, cursing him and then got a call from an AA member needing jumper cables. He went all-in after his first meeting and started helping newcomers at 2 weeks. He has a beautiful 12th-Step story about taking the train from work.

Steve's home group is Serendipity in High Point, NC. His sobriety date is 01APR1989.

Originally aired Oct 15, 2018

Molly just completed another 4th Step and is meeting one of her sponsors to do a 5th Step right after recording this episode. A DUI in 2002 led her to getting sober 2 months later. Years before getting sober, she had a boyfriend in AA and, by living the AA program, he showed her what a sober life in AA can be like. A musician, Molly regained access to her talent at about 2 years sober and now is "performing behind enemy lines" frequently. Step 3 and the St. Francis prayer are very present in her life right now, particularly with the current political happenings.

Molly's home groups are the weekly jail meeting and Women’s Experience, Strength & Hope in Greensboro, NC. Her sobriety date is 28OCT2002.

Originally aired Oct 1, 2018

Buddy was in and out of AA for 6 years prior to getting sober. His alcoholic drinking started in his late 20s. Religion prevented earlier drinking. Drinking saved his life. A major health issue threatened his life and he quit drinking but with no program, he resumed. Ultimately, a DUI led to his coming to AA. He didn't know anyone who drank like him; in AA, he heard a guy who did. Making amends to his first wife was a big moment in his recovery.

Buddy got sober on 10NOV2008 and his home group is Sunday Morning Sharing & Caring in Cartersville, GA.

We know Buddy through www.dailyaaemails.com.

Originally aired Sep 15, 2018

Viki started drinking at 14 and was a round-the-clock drinker the last year and a half of her drinking. Being unemployed gave her time to drink like that. Her daughter left during her drinking and didn't accept Viki's amends; 8 years later, she did.

Viki grew up in church and taught Sunday school. Step 2 seemed to have nothing to offer - she thought she had a relationship with a higher power but didn't. Step 2 started her looking at her relationship with her higher power and helped her gain a spiritual awakening of the educational variety.

Viki's sobriety date is 10MAR2005 and her home group is Serendipity in High Point, NC.

Originally aired Sep 1, 2018

Hunter got sober in 1996 in NA but wasn't thorough on his 4th step. He started drinking again in 2003. In 2006, he came to AA and did things differently. In 2016, he backed off of his meetings, would arrive at the start of them and leave before the end. He had surgery and didn't take the pain meds as prescribed. He experienced depression, too. He drank for 2 months and came back in 2017. He says he's stubborn but will take suggestions. Hunter listens to 5th steps at a local treatment center. His home group is Summit Fellowship Men's group in Greensboro, NC. His sobriety date is 17JAN2017.

Originally aired Aug 15, 2018

Candy tried going to a psychiatrist to help with her drinking. She was ready to end it all. She stopped for a while and then tried controlled drinking. She hid her drinking evidence from her husband. After going to a treatment center, she followed their suggestions when she left. Step 1 was very powerful for her. She stopped on her 4th Step and was ready to go out.

Candy's sobriety date is 14JAN2012 and her home group is Step Lively in Greensboro, NC.

Originally aired Aug 1, 2018