Jon's drinking started in his late teens and continued into his thirties when the disease of alcoholism had him firmly in its clutches. By then, his use of meth-amphetamines had also spiraled out of control. Instead of supplanting Jon’s alcoholism, his drug addiction fueled his drinking until that ruinous combination threatened his job and virtually every other aspect of his life. Though he knew he needed to get sober, early attempts were half-hearted at best and led to still more misery. Even in-patient treatment for four weeks was insufficient to quell his desire for drugs and alcohol, and he slipped almost immediately upon discharge. As he approached the edge of the abyss, Jon experienced a moment of clarity. That brief break in his clouded thinking was enough to convince him that he had to get sober or he would not survive. Jon turned himself over to simultaneous attendance of IOP and regular AA meetings. As he became more and more grounded in Alcoholics Anonymous, he put the Program on the top of his daily priorities. His service commitments in AA further cemented his dedication his own sobriety and that of his fellows. Because Jon and I have attended many of the same meetings over his 19-year tenure in AA, we’ve gotten to know each other quite well. As such, I can personally vouch for the quality and integrity of his Program and the impact he has had on other AA members. I feel like his is a story that will be readily identifiable to listeners. It’s full of the kind of wisdom and perspective that inspire Alcoholics Anonymous members everywhere. I hope you will enjoy the next hour with my good friend and AA brother, Jon G. 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.]