Washington Society Ghosts and the AA Traditions – Sandy B.

About This Speaker Tape

Polio and a terrifying Catholic upbringing were the unlikely precursors to Sandy B.'s career as a Marine Corps pilot. He describes the 'magic energy' of alcohol that initially silenced his social anxiety only to lead him into a spiral of withdrawal symptoms while flying fighter jets and a subsequent crash into a psychiatric ward. After a grand mal seizure and a stint in a straitjacket Sandy B. found a sponsor who provided 'total immersion' in the program

. He dismantles the idea of religion framing spirituality instead as the simple act of giving up and becoming a 'channel' for others. He maps out the transition from being a 'big shot' to finding the highest level of recovery: becoming a servant.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Sandy B. opens with greetings to the Texas AEA and mentions his home group in Tampa.
• 2:15 Laughter: Sandy B. recounts a nightmare where he discovers AA doesn't exist.
• 6:40 Historical deep dive into the Washingtonian Society and the danger of losing the primary purpose.
• 13:10 Childhood memories of a 20-foot crucifix and the trauma of a polio epidemic.
• 17:45 The 'magic energy' of the first few drinks at Yale and the deal with the devil.
• 24:30 Life as a Marine pilot and the 'hot shot' squadron's drinking culture.
• 30:15 The physical wreckage of withdrawal while flying and the 'death grip' on the ejection seat.
• 35:40 The 'nut ward' experience, grand mal seizures, and the DTs.
• 41:20 Meeting his infantry sponsor and the period of total immersion.
• 48:10 Discussion on the 'Chapter to the Agnostic' and the necessity of a spiritual experience.
• 54:30 The shift from 'big shot' to 'servant' and the nature of the 10th Step.