Scott T. Recovers His Way Up to Servant

I took a drink, the drink took a drink, then the drink took the man.

When Scott T. looks in the mirror, he sees a man transformed, but the reflection wasn’t always so clear. Growing up south of Boston in the 1960s, he was raised in the chaos of alcoholism and violence. By thirteen, he was already in handcuffs, defiant and angry at the world. The pain of his childhood turned into a spring of rage and fear that alcohol temporarily eased, until it almost took his life.

Scott’s journey spiraled through addiction, crime, and a literal jump from a 196-foot bridge that left him clinically dead for 13 minutes. In another incident, Scott was sentenced to 22 years in prison. It was there that he met Eddie Miracle, who helped him understand that his real problem wasn’t alcohol, it was perception. After his release, he went all in for recovery and even became a circuit speaker.

But Ego crept back in. “We work the steps to get sober,” Scott says, “but we can also work them in reverse.” His spiritual life unraveled, insanity returned, and he relapsed. In 1996, overwhelmed by guilt and shame, he attempted suicide again, this time with a gun. Surviving the attempt, Scott was charged as an ex-felon with a firearm and, under California’s Three Strikes law, faced 25 years to life in prison.

Then another miracle came. His wife began a letter-writing campaign, gathering testimonies from across the world about the lives Scott had touched. On October 7, 1997, a judge pulled him out of prison, dropping two strikes against him. That moment of grace gave him a new lease on life and sobriety.

Scott surrendered, not in defeat, but in freedom. “Our ego has to deflate enough for us to experience a psychic change,” he says. “The entire program is designed for one purpose, not to take the first drink.”

Scott has since built a life filled with purpose and service. He’s been married for over 40 years, raised five children, and has nine grandchildren. He’s written seven cookbooks, set three world records for omelets, hosted a TV show, and spoken at the Vatican. But his greatest joy still comes from carrying the message into jails, rehabs, and recovery rooms, helping others find their way out of the cave.

As he says, “We come into the rooms a big shot, and we work our way up to servant, the highest honor in recovery.”

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📌 Mentioned in this episode:

• If you or someone you love is struggling, call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for 24/7 support.

• Easy Does It Men’s Retreat: easydoesitretreat.com

🌟 For daily encouragement, visit Daily Ponderables — your source for inspiration 365 days a year.

The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Every Thursday at Noon.