Patrice T. – Sober Since January 1979 (Encore Episode)

Patrice T. has known alcoholism from both sides—first as the child of an alcoholic, and later as an alcoholic herself. For a time, her drinking overlapped her father’s struggle, until both of their lives were transformed by sobriety. Patrice grew up amid the turmoil of her father’s disease, yet like so many of us, she began drinking as a teenager anyway. Alcohol offered relief and escape as her life grew more chaotic.

By her early 20s, while working as a nurse, drinking had shifted from social to daily—and felt impossible to stop. Around the same time, her father found Alcoholics Anonymous, and his life steadily improved. Patrice saw the change, heard the hope, but wasn’t ready. Not yet. It took hitting bottom for her to finally surrender and walk into AA herself. That was in January 1979.

Over the next four decades, Patrice shared the gifts of sobriety with her father, who passed away with 32 years sober. Today, her life is firmly rooted in AA through meetings, sponsorship, and service. The challenges she’s faced—and overcome—are powerful testimony to the healing found in the rooms. Her commitment to helping other women reflects a devotion she learned early and still lives by.

I’ve known Patrice for several years, and her grounded, honest way of living the Program is deeply impressive. Her story of long-term sobriety is inspiring and unforgettable. Set the world aside and join me for this episode of AA Recovery Interviews with my friend and AA sister, Patrice T.

[Note: This interview was originally released as podcast 72 in April 2022.]

If you’ve enjoyed my AA Recovery Interviews series, have a listen to “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, Apple Books, or Amazon.

 I also invite you to check out my latest audio book, Lost Stories of the Big Book, 30 Original Stories Missing from the 3^rd and 4^th 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 3^rd and 4^th 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 Apple Books. It’s also available as a Kindle book and in Paperback from Amazon if you’d like to read along with the audio.