Alcoholism as a Simple Disorder of Emotional Health – Don G.

About This Speaker Tape

A bathrobe and a four-day beard define the image of Don G. as he drives through California with a burning couch strapped to his car roof—a vivid snapshot of the chaos he calls 'the simplest disorder.' Don avoids the typical 'qualifying' routine instead dissecting the absurdity of the alcoholic mind and the delusion of 'social drinking.' He pivots from the wreckage of his youth to a surprising ascent: from a man who once faced the Supreme Court as a defendant to being appointed as a Justice of the 2nd District Court of Appeal. He warns that ego inflation is as dangerous as disaster noting that the higher the climb the more desperately he needs the program to keep him from the ledge.

His narrative is one of radical honesty where the only real solution is the simple stubborn act of not drinking and the willingness to be seen in all his unvarnished often ridiculous truth.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Introduction and Don G.'s opening remarks on the 'awkward' room layout.
• 5:15 Laughter: Don discusses the absurdity of 'qualifying' as an alcoholic.
• 12:40 The story of the burning couch and the drive to the creek.
• 22:10 Discussion on the 'phenomenon of craving' and the nature of the disease.
• 31:00 The 'Mutt & Jeff Bandits' and the dangers of rationalization.
• 42:15 Don's reflections on adolescence as a form of insanity and the 'preservative' nature of alcohol.
• 51:30 The physical act of surrender: Don describes praying on his knees to his Higher Power.
• 62:00 The story of his appointment to the appellate bench and the confirmation hearing.
• 74:10 Don's final thoughts on ego inflation and the necessity of the program in success.