RRP 74 Andrea L.: Keep Coming Back – Recovery, Relapse, and the Power of Community

Title: RRP 74 Andrea L.: Keep Coming Back – Recovery, Relapse, and the Power of CommunityPresenters: Julie L and Peter BGuest: Andrea LLength: ~1:14:30Date: August 8, 2025

Summary:Julie and Peter welcome Andrea L., a social worker and longtime member of Extended Family AA. Andrea shares her honest recovery journey through functional alcoholism, denial, relapse, and reconnection. Her story underscores the power of persistence, peer support, and the simple message: Keep Coming Back.

Key Points & Timestamps:

Introduction & Background• [00:00:19] Opening message on healing and transformation• [00:01:00] 24/7 Recovery Crisis Line: 503-223-8569• [00:01:57] Andrea introduced as close friend and AA member• [00:02:25] Wednesday night meeting service role• [00:03:30] Guiding principles: Never Give Up and Keep Coming Back

Family & Addiction History• [00:07:59] Family roots of addiction and silence• [00:09:27] Mother’s death triggered increased drinking• [00:10:35] Married Chris (still together today)• [00:12:38] Became guardian to father after brain surgery

Addiction Progression• [00:14:41] Realizing “we” drink too much• [00:15:05] Worked in addiction services, missed her own signals• [00:16:42] Daily norm: 3 vodka sodas and 4 beers• [00:18:21] Hit bottom: passed out on sidewalk

Treatment & Recovery• [00:19:41] Early AA attendance to get people off her back• [00:22:21] Treatment entry: Feb 2022, post-COVID surge• [00:23:35] Pandemic impact on drinking habits• [00:24:03] Detoxed at home via Kaiser Addiction Medicine• [00:24:28] Vital warning: unsupervised detox is dangerous

Workplace & Legal Protections• [00:26:54] Disclosure to HR: not best practice• [00:27:33] Legal rights: FMLA, ADA• [00:29:00] Best route: EAP first, minimal disclosure• [00:29:42] Oregon paid leave for treatment

Community & Relapse• [00:30:38] Early meetings were quiet, but safe• [00:32:45] Learning to be a “grateful alcoholic”• [00:33:16] Relapse episodes got shorter over time• [00:33:51] "We don’t shoot our wounded" – Barry• [00:38:55] Didn’t work the steps, but stayed connected

Service & Support• [00:39:54] Service commitments maintain accountability• [00:42:51] Acts of service: coffee pot up stairs• [00:44:43] Supported Julie and Peter at Out in Recovery• [00:44:52] Skyler Ray – former client turned hip-hop artist• [00:46:04] Touring with Road to Recovery• [00:46:23] Mentions Another Chance

Navigating Relationships• [00:47:00] Kept work and recovery separate• [00:50:34] Brother-in-law Matthew also in recovery• [00:51:27] Friends subtly monitor drink choices• [00:56:30] Italy trip: 11 travelers, 2 sober

Personal & Professional Growth• [00:58:37] Julie openly shares podcast at work• [01:00:59] Employer now sponsors GTD 5K• [01:02:20] Peter uses recovery tools for cancer journey• [01:03:37] Recovery brings deeper relationships

Key Recovery Insights• [01:07:01] “I have had many ups and downs... and many successes.” – Andrea• [01:08:22] Worry when people vanish from meetings• [01:09:20] Boundaries: loving people without social ties• [01:10:49] “Welcome back” is the magic of community

Featured Resources & Organizations

Recovery Support:• Real Recovery Podcast• 503-223-8569 – 24/7 Oregon Crisis Line• Extended Family AA• Portland Alano Club

Treatment Services:• 4D Recovery• Another Chance Clinical Services• Go The Distance (GTD)• Kaiser Addiction Medicine

Inspiration:• Skyler Ray – Road to Recovery Tour• Jim Valvano Foundation – “Never Give Up”

Quotes to Remember:

"I have been working on getting sober for three years. I have had many ups and downs... And I have had many successes." – Andrea L

"We don't shoot our wounded." – Barry

"If you reach recovery, who cares how you got there? It's the connection piece." – Peter B

"I'm grateful I went to prison 'cause it gave me the timeout to get sober." – Julie L

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