Putting AA First to Make Life First Class — Helen M.

About This Speaker Tape

Helen M., based in London, shares her journey of recovery after a lifetime of struggle that began with her first drink at age five. She describes using alcohol to numb the pain of being bullied by her sisters and the emotional pressure to maintain a brave face within her family. Her drinking progressed into a severe addiction in her 20s, leading to failed acting ambitions and a period of working in a strip club to fund her substance use.

After several failed attempts to get sober and multiple hospitalizations for alcoholic poisoning, Helen found a turning point through the support of a recovery professional named Charlie and the accessibility of Zoom meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic. She emphasizes that while she entered the rooms years prior, she only achieved sobriety once she hit a level of total desperation and willingness to put her recovery first.

Now with over 1,000 days of sobriety, Helen focuses on rigorous adherence to the Big Book, frequent service work, and sponsorship. She discusses the healing of her relationship with her sister, who is currently battling cancer, and the spiritual growth she has experienced by helping other alcoholics through their own darkest moments.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Introduction of Helen M. and her 1,018 days of sobriety
• 12:20 Helen describes her first drink at age five to cope with sister's bullying
• 24:10 Discussion on family dynamics and the pressure to hide emotions
• 34:50 Details on her acting career and spending all her earnings on booze
• 42:15 Helen discusses her history with eating disorders and cross-addictions
• 53:20 The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of Zoom meetings in her recovery
• 1:04:12 Account of her final binge and the support of her boyfriend
• 1:14:45 Helen's experience with sponsorship and the lessons learned from a sponsee's relapse