Marijuana was Vicki’s primary addiction along with alcoholism. Like a lot of us, she smoked pot much more frequently than she drank, but ended up in AA just the same. The hauntings of a painful childhood in a dysfunctional family, fractured by her parents’ divorce when she was young, created self-loathing, shame, and a sense of not belonging. Fortunately, she found marijuana at 13. That, plus whatever alcohol she was able to get at the time, provided Vicki with that longed-for relief and comfort that was missing in her life. She was soon getting high every day, yet even when she added booze to the mix, her ability to function under the influence remained sharp. She was able to stay employed, eventually becoming a mother of two in her mid-thirties. But, her desire to get high 24/7 soon prevailed over her ability to function as a responsible parent. She finally hit the tipping point and found herself in a 12-Step program for her marijuana addiction. While there, she recognized the alcoholism that was also ruining her life, and made her way into Alcoholics Anonymous. In AA, she found a sponsor, worked the steps, went to meetings, and helped others. She was able to address both of her addictions with a solid program of recovery.

For those listeners who have also struggled with marijuana addiction, Vicki’s story should hit some responsive chords. Especially salient are her experiences in AA during her early involvement with another 12-Step program and the difficulties of trying to justify continuing to drink in the midst of quitting marijuana. And vice versa. The rest of Vicki’s story is most engaging and applicable to anyone seeking help from multiple 12-Step Programs.

So please enjoy the next hour of AA Recovery Interviews with my friend and AA sister, Vicki A.

[This is an encore of Episode 60 originally released January 12, 2022.]

If you’ve enjoyed my AA Recovery Interviews series, have a listen to “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, Apple Books, or Amazon.

 I also invite you to check out my latest audio book, 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 Apple Books. 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.]