Diego R. grew up in Venezuela in a fear-ridden household with an alcoholic father whose rage left an indelible mark on the only child. Though his father left when he was five, Diego had learned how to use rage and rebellion to compensate for his fear and lack of self-confidence. By the time he started drinking, the alcohol combusted with his attitude and egoism to stoke a fast and reckless lifestyle. Working as a mechanical engineer, Diego’s job had two, three, and four week rotations that allowed him to drink and chase women unimpeded while he was off the job. Working at facilities around the world, he was a functional alcoholic fulfilling many critical roles. But his around-the-clock work commitment meant he couldn’t  drink for or up to 28 days at a time. As the disease progressed, he spent much of his time on the job devising elaborate plans for his inevitable benders once off-duty. Drinking soon occupied all his hours off the job and started to bleed into Diego’s ability to perform his work while on the job. Ironically, one of Diego’s roles involved monitoring other employees for alcohol and drug use. But working in an environment where drinking and alcoholism were rife continued to make life more miserable for him. Hitting bottom in 2018, Diego committed to AA’s Program of recovery. He has been a sober, active, and engaged member of the Program ever since.

Staying sober for five plus years has generated many gifts for Diego and countless opportunities to be of service to other sober alcoholics. I think you will find his testimony to be of great value, especially those of you in the early years of your AA Program. And though it may take a few seconds to acclimate to Diego’s Venezuelan accent, your investment of one hour to listen to Diego’s awesome story will be time well spent. So please enjoy this episode of AA Recovery Interviews con mi amigo y AA hermano, Diego R.

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. Follow us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Or listen on https://bigbookpodcast.com

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 testamonials 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 or as a Paperback book 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 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.]