Christopher B, 9th Ohio Roundup 08/24/1991

Speaker: Christopher B.From: Bowling Green, OhioDate: August 24, 1991Event: 9th Ohio RoundupLocation: OhioAA Member: YesGender: MaleSobriety Date: Memorial Day weekend, 1983Sobriety at Recording: About 8 yearsExplicit: YesPrimary Topic: Recovery, self-acceptance, fear, complacency, and finding a life in sobrietyThemes: Gay identity, alcoholism, loneliness, sexual assault, suicide attempt, psychiatric hospitalization, New York gay life, AA sponsorship, service, spirituality, moving from New York to Ohio, coming out in recovery, fear, perfectionism, gratitude, and avoiding complacency.

Podbean Summary

Christopher B. — Fear, Acceptance & the Road of Happy Destiny | 9th Ohio Roundup, 1991

In this recording from the 9th Ohio Roundup, Christopher B. shares his experience of alcoholism, recovery, and learning to accept himself as a gay man. Eight years sober at the time of this talk, Christopher reflects on how fear, loneliness, grandiosity, and the need to appear successful shaped much of his life before Alcoholics Anonymous.

Christopher describes growing up feeling different, a traumatic experience during his teenage years, psychiatric hospitalization, and years of drinking while moving through college, Denver, New York City, relationships, nightlife, and professional life. Despite appearing successful on the outside, alcohol gradually narrowed his world until he reached the point where he could no longer continue living the way he had been.

After finally admitting that he could not stop drinking, Christopher found his way to an AA meeting near his New York apartment. On Memorial Day weekend in 1983, after another night of drinking, he returned to that meeting and became willing to do what was suggested. He has not had a drink since.

Christopher shares how sponsorship, meetings, service, spirituality, and the Fellowship helped him rebuild his life. He also discusses leaving New York to attend graduate school in Bowling Green, Ohio, and the experience of learning that he could be openly gay, sober, and accepted without apologizing for who he was.

His closing message focuses on two dangers he continues to guard against in recovery: fear and complacency. Christopher reminds newcomers to look around, listen to the laughter, and recognize that recovery truly can get better as we travel together on what the Big Book calls the “road of happy destiny.”

Historical recording from August 24, 1991. Contains adult language and discussions of sexuality, sexual assault, suicide, mental health treatment, and alcoholism.

Christopher B, 9th Ohio Roundup 08/24/1991

Christopher B, 9th Ohio Roundup 08/24/1991

Christopher B, 9th Ohio Roundup 08/24/1991

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