From 13 Shots to a Pocket Big Book: Andy’s Sobriety Turnaround

Hey — if you’ve ever felt like life was one big blackout and you were just trying to piece it together, this share is for you. Andy tells it straight: his last drink, the awkward first meeting, and how a simple invite to grab coffee turned into the hand that pulled him out of the hole. It’s raw, relatable, and full of those small, real moments that build a sober life.

He talks about thinking he could “handle” his drinking, learning what a sponsor actually is, and being guided to read just two pages a day — which turned into reading the whole thing and finally recognizing himself in the Big Book. There’s humor (Andy’s “great plans”), honesty (the mistakes he made), and a steady thread of hope as he describes working the steps and finding a relationship with a higher power.

The fellowship mattered — coming early, staying after for the parking-lot chats, and feeling welcomed. The metaphors stick: a pocket-sized Big Book that somehow became a life manual, and the idea of a “cup of acceptance” and a “cup of gratitude” as daily tools to stay sober and sane. It’s about small willingness, tiny open-minded steps, and letting the program change your view of everything.

Andy doesn’t pretend recovery is perfect. He shares the slip-ups, the times faith felt distant, and how he learned that faith must work through him 24 hours a day. Most importantly, he shows that staying connected — to people, to service, to reading and prayer — keeps the miracle alive and gives you just enough hope to get through today.

If you’re new, curious, or somewhere in the middle, this is a gentle reminder: one day at a time, and a little willingness can change everything. Pull up a seat, bring your pocket Big Book, and let these stories sink in — they just might save your life.

 

A Shot Glass of Recovery

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