Al D. came into AA at 60 years of age to get sober after a lifetime of normal or moderate drinking. Punctuated by occasional binges and excessive use of alcohol to quell periods of depression or anxiety, Al was able to manage his consumption of booze and sometimes stop for years at a time. But the disease of alcoholism was just off-stage ready to make its appearance when the script of his life took an inevitable turn after two divorces, several business reversals, and increasingly frequent periods of self-recrimination. At an age when Al thought he’d be enjoying life the most, the rapacious creditor that is alcoholism took over his life rendering him hopelessly desperate for help. Fortunately, a brief period of awareness occurred after Al was hospitalized for  his drinking and he finally admitted defeat. Limping into Alcoholics Anonymous, he found the solutions to his problems and did the crucial work necessary to get and stay sober. With a good sponsor and daily meetings, Al earnestly worked the steps and ensconced himself in the fellowship. Six years later, his stand-out service work is known to all and is a fine demonstration of better living through AA service.

Though I’ve known Al for the short time he’s been in Houston, his presence at many of the same meetings that I attend makes it feel like I’ve known him for a much longer time. His is a story that gives hope to those older alcoholics who may feel it’s too late in life to get help. His frank and unabashed manner of carrying Alcohol Anonymous’ message to those who still suffer, has made him an invaluable and trusted servant in his newly adopted AA community. Al’s understanding of the disease and his experience getting sober late in life, strongly resonate with older alcoholics, and provide hope that it’s never too late to change and find a new life in AA.

So, without further ado, please enjoy the next hour with my friend and AA brother, Al D. 

 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. 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.]