Incredibly, Tom hadn't had a drink in over nine years when he joined AA. He was "dry", but his behavior during those years was every bit as alcoholic as if he’d been drinking the whole time. Growing up in a very dysfunctional home, Tom’s early life was fraught with daily fear, shame, and lack of direction. His years in the army during the Viet Nam war and his early business career were soaked in alcohol and abhorrent behavior. By the time he was married and had two young children, Tom’s bitter and self-righteous temperment had recreated the same kind of toxic environment in which he’d grown up. As Tom’s burgeoning alcoholism was fracturing his marriage and family, he somehow managed stopped drinking. However, his dry years provided little relief from the madness. He found himself living on a miserable decline in mind, body, and spirit. The suggestion that he join AA, despite being dry, finally struck a responsive chord in his otherwise demoralized life and he started to attend meetings. Tom’s tenuous hold on the Program eventually became a tighter grip on all of the tenets necessary to live an AA-enriched life, including regular meetings, prayer and meditation, and unceasing service work.

Tom has always stated his sobriety date as the day he entered AA, rather than the date he stopped drinking. This important difference between simply being dry and staying sober in AA has been well-demonstrated by Tom over the years. I’ve personally heard him share those differences with newcomers in countless meetings we’ve attended. His is an important message that needs reemphasis whenever alcoholics consider just getting dry in lieu of getting sober.

The many gifts in Tom’s life since sobriety are proof-positive of the power of a spiritually-centered and active Program. As you listen to his story on today’s AA Recovery Interviews podcast, I believe you’ll be moved to truly appreciate what a life of sobriety looks like compared to a life of just staying dry. So, please relax and enjoy the next hour of AA Recovery Interviews with my dear friend and AA brother, Tom W.

Check out Howard’s 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. Subscribe for free 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. No advertising is allowed. 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.]