Rich L. is from Mountainview, California, and he helped start a secularly formatted AA meeting in his community. In this episode, he shares his personal story of recovery, how and why he started a secular AA meeting, and how things are going today for both him and his group.
Key points discussed
- Growing up in an alcoholic home.
- Drinking makes Rich feel normal.
- Rich’s feeling about religion.
- Trying to quit on his own.
- First impressions of AA.
- The utility of the Twelve Steps.
- Experience starting a secular AA meeting.
- Impact of COVID on the group.
- Why AA should update its literature.
Memorable quotes
Drinking seemed to work for me. I was able to expand my social network and become a sort of normal person, connecting with people and making friends. Maybe, in hindsight, it was just that time of life, but I thought it was the alcohol.
It was fun, it was fun with trouble, then it was mostly trouble for the last five years of my drinking.
I came to AA because I had a couple of relapses when I tired on my own.
The “god thing” fell away during my step work. I didn’t worry about it.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictions, by Russell Brand
Episode 72: Dr. Nicole Labor
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
