Welcome to episode five of Two Drunks With a Mic. The place where we share our past so that others might have a future. You can find and subscribe to our podcast at www.twodrunkswithamic.com

In this episode, we pick up where we left off during my conversation with Gary Farrall. So here we go, episode five… The Promises.

2:00 Keeping busy

3:15 Freedom in recovery

3:56 Hope and action equal recovery

4:37 Gary mentions the promises

5:00 Living the steps

7:00 Ian’s struggle with balance

8:33 Incomprehensible demoralization

19:24 Common malady

37:52 Uncertainty about family

38:20 Prayer as a source of hope

42:27 Less work maintaining recovery than maintaining our addiction

44:00 Trusting the process, the program, and God

45:00 Not turning our back to relapse

46:00 Gary discusses his stroke and his road to walking again.

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The 12 promises of AA we mention:

* If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are halfway through. This promise states that people who complete the AA program and make a sincere effort will begin to see changes in their lives even before they are halfway done.* We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. People who finish the steps will experience relief from the suffering of addiction and feel free to pursue a new life without alcohol.* We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. Those who work the program will gain a sense of acceptance that allows them to process their experiences, learn from them, and move on without guilt.* We will comprehend the word serenity, and we will know peace. Addiction can lead to a constant state of inner turmoil. The AA program helps people find a calmness that is rare during active using, and that many addicts have never known in their lives.* No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. Many addicts don’t believe that other people understand what they’ve been through. But in AA, they often meet people who can identify with and learn from their experiences.* That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. Addiction makes users feel worthless and guilty about their actions. The steps can give people a sense that their lives have a meaning and a purpose, particularly through helping others.* We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Addiction leads to many self-centered behaviors. Helping other people find recovery can bring addicts outside of themselves and help them develop a genuine interest in other people.* Self-seeking will slip away. The tunnel vision of focusing only on oneself and drinking usually begins to fade as people work the steps.* Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. AA can shift one’s perspective from hopeless to hope. People can begin to imagine a life where they are happy.* Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us.