Walt was raised in a military family who moved every couple of years. The transitory nature of Walt’s childhood and adolescence meant making and losing friends on a frequent basis. A sense of impermanence drove his desire to excel in whatever short-term opportunities the relocations created. But, by the time college allowed him to stay four years in one spot, alcohol had already pervaded Walt’s life. He drank for all the usual reasons and had a proclivity for drinking more than his peers. Nonetheless, he graduated, got his career underway, and married shortly thereafter. But the trajectory towards heavy drinking and alcoholism was impeded by a diagnosis of a lupus-type autoimmune disease that Walt battled for fifteen years. Drinking took a backseat to the medications and pain killers, but thankfully he did not become addicted to the opioids or other meds. Alcohol was not advised, but Walt’s intake of liquor continued, especially at those times when painkillers were effective. By the time he overcame the disease of his immune system, Walt’s drinking had escalated. His disease of alcoholism was disrupting every aspect of his life, especially with his family. Ultimately, it took a DUI to convince Walt to come into AA. He dove into the Program, got a  sponsor, worked the steps, and became of reliable service to others. Walt tethered himself to a group of men who reside in the middle of the Program and he has become solid in AA fellowship.

Walt’s story is both poignant and inspiring, and has much wisdom to impart to current and future members of Alcoholic Anonymous. So please enjoy this episode of AA Recovery Interviews with my good friend and AA brother, Walt P.

If you’ve enjoyed my AA Recovery Interviews series and my Big Book podcast, 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.

I also invite you to 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.

[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 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.]