The Sponsor Who Saw Two Sentences Under the Bullsh*t – Deandre M.

About This Speaker Tape

Born into the Jordan Downs Housing Project in Watts Deandre M. grew up in a house of six children with six different fathers where drinking was a social lubricant for the chaos. After years of stealing and lying a brutal beating from friends and a cold dismissal from his grandmother left him broken.

He found a lifeline through Ronnie M. and a seven-day hotel stay that led him to Warm Springs Rehabilitation Center. Deandre M. describes the grueling physical detox and the mental shift from hating sobriety to embracing the 'uncut unrehabilitated AA' found in Lancaster

. Through a 'demon sponsor' named Dennis L. he learned that love is an action—often manifesting as being told to shut up and get a job.

Now living in Glendale he views his recovery as a constant process of staying in the middle of the AA triangle avoiding the 'merry-go-round' of sobriety date changes and finding peace in the simple act of service.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:45 Deandre M. describes growing up in the Jordan Downs Housing Project in Watts.
• 3:15 Laughter: Deandre M. discusses the 'relapser' and the disease of alcoholism.
• 6:20 Deandre M. recounts meeting Ronnie M. and his first prayer for help.
• 8:45 Description of the physical agony of detox and the 'racial issue' regarding medication in rehab.
• 11:30 Metaphor: Comparing the disease of alcoholism to Jason and Michael Myers.
• 15:10 Deandre M. discusses his sponsor Dennis L. and the importance of the inventory.
• 18:45 Discussion of the 'surrender experience' and the role of a Higher Power.
• 22:10 Deandre M. warns against 'dry drunk' behavior and the need to start over with Step One.
• 26:30 Story about getting a job after leading a noon meeting in Hollywood.
• 31:15 Deandre M. reflects on the 'hidden legacy of AA' called intimacy and his relationship with his sponsor.
• 35:40 Reflection on his current life in Glendale and the contrast with his time on Skid Row.
• 39:10 Closing thoughts on the 'ABCs of AA' (ashtrays, brooms, and chairs).