Joanie's story is full of similarities with which many alcoholics will readily identify. Her early drinking at age 14 escalated during her high school and college years. It rapidly became an indispensable part of her life during her first marriage. As a young mother of two, Joanie’s budding alcoholism became entwined with her home and social lives and caused mounting problems in both areas. Fortunate to have a husband who took over the parental roles that Joanie was increasingly oblivious to, her daily drinking inevitably led to divorce. And, of course, divorce led to more drinking and irresponsibility. As her life became more isolated and miserable, Joanie tried to stop drinking many times. At first, she tried using psycho-therapy and multiple treatment centers, only to start drinking again. With few options left and self-loathing becoming a greater part of her existence, Joanie found AA as a last resort. After some fits and starts, she finally caught the hand of Alcoholics Anonymous over 6 years ago and has been sober since.

Joanie’s journey in sobriety started with lots of meetings and working the 12 steps under tutelage of some great sponsors. Her success has grown into sponsorship of other women and reliably fulfilling service commitments, including involvement in local non-profits dealing with alcoholism and drug addiction. She continues to occupy her hard-earned position in the spiritual center of the Program and demonstrates daily the gifts AA offers to all who seek it.

I believe Joanie’s story is important to hear for new-comers, old-timers, and folks in between. So get comfortable to listen for the next hour to this week’s episode of AA Recovery Interviews with my friend and AA sister, Joanie 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.

Check out my 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

[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.]