[This is an encore of Episode 24 originally released April 29, 2021].
As the daughter of a Louisiana bar-owner, Teska’s father would spike her Coca Cola with whiskey when she was a child. But, though her family was rife with alcoholism within a culture where drinking was a way of life, Teska lived most of her life as a normal or social drinker. It wasn’t until she retired, after a long and successful career as a lawyer, that alcoholism bit into her life with ferocity.
Teska’s self-admitted workaholism kept her use of alcohol and occasional binges confined to weekends throughout her legal career. But after she retired in her fifties, alcoholism took over with vengence where her work addictions left off. Like the man in the Big Book who retired to his carpet slippers, bathrobe, and irrepressible drinking, Teska headed down the same road to ruin. But unlike the man in the story, she didn’t have to die to stop drinking. Instead, she came to AA.
Sober in AA for nearly 5 years now, Teska’s journey in sobriety is a tale worth hearing. Finding AA in her early 60’s, centering herself in the Program, and working the 12 Steps has enriched her quality of life. She clearly embodies what a woman transformed by Alcoholics Anonymous can be, irrespective of age. Her hopefulness for a happy and service-oriented future as a member of AA comes through loud and clear.
On this episode of AA Recovery Interviews, I’m delighted to welcome my AA sister, Teska M. to the show.
If you’ve enjoyed my AA Recovery Interviews series, have a listen to Lost Stories of the Big Book, 30 Original Stories Missing from the 3rd and 4th Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s an engaging audiobook I narrated to bring these stories to life for AA members who’ve never seen them. These timeless testimonials were originally cut to make room for newer stories in the 3rd and 4th Editions. But their vitally important messages of hope are as meaningful today as when they were first published. Many listeners will hear these stories for the first time. Lost Stories of the Big Book is available on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. It’s also available as a Kindle book and in Paperback from Amazon if you’d like to read along with the audio.
I also invite you to check out my latest audio book, “Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered From Alcoholism”. This is the word-for-word, cover-to-cover reading of the First Edition of the Big Book, published in 1939. It’s a comfortable, meaningful, and engaging way to listen to the Big Book anytime, anyplace. Have a free listen at Audible, i-Tunes, or Amazon.
[Disclaimer: AA Recovery Interviews podcast strictly adheres to AA’s 12 Traditions and all General Service Office guidelines for safe-guarding anonymity on-line. I pay all podcast production costs. AA Recovery Interviews and my guests do not speak for or represent AA at-large. This podcast is simply my way of giving back to AA that which has been so freely given to me. – Howard L.]