Chimene's story will resonate with those in their first few years of sobriety. It will also ring familiar with those who drank for many years before alcoholism took control of their lives. In Chimene’s case, drinking was part of her life for over 30 years, from the time she was 18 until she joined AA a few years ago. A social drinker for many of those years, she functioned in her job and homelife with few of the consequences that might have indicated a problem with alcohol long before she arrived at the doors of Alcoholics Anonymous. By the time Chimene noticed that her mostly innocuous drinking had morphed into serious alcohol abuse, she was loathe to believe herself to be an alcoholic. But she knew she had to stop, or, at least, moderate, her consumption of booze. Thinking she could manage it herself, Chimene implemented a variety of planning, rule-making, and self-control measures that had worked so well in other aspects of her life. Unsurprisingly, she sought an online solution through various forums, smartphone apps, and interactive “programs” that promised the help she so desperately needed. None of them worked. Finding herself with diminishing options, Chimene sought out AA through the readily available Zoom meetings that have become the mainstay of her Program. Through Zoom, she has actively participated in the core elements of AA, including Step work with a sponsor; chairing and leading meetings; and online fellowship. She also added an in person meeting at a local AA club to her meeting schedule, sufficient to maintain a well-rounded Program.  

I believe you will find much of interest and meaning in Chimene’s story. So sit back and please enjoy the next hour of this episode of AA Recovery Interviews with my friend and AA sister, Chimene M.

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.]