Into Action

Into Action

What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol? In this RAW Recovery Podcast Daily Trudge episode, Dion walks through the messy, very human shift from thinking about recovery to actually doing something about it. It’s a live, chatty session with regulars like Michelle, Amber, Jason and Norm popping in, but underneath the jokes and music tangents sits a clear message: awareness is great, but sobriety needs action.

Dion starts with the serenity prayer, admitting he sometimes rattles it off on “auto mode” and then forgets what it means. He talks about consciously slowing down and asking, “Do I see that most improvements in my life will come from changing my own attitudes and actions?” That question threads through the whole conversation, from choosing not to argue on social media to putting on headphones and letting the neighbours’ noisy birthday party go.

The heart of the episode centres on the Big Book chapter “Into Action” and Step Five. Dion explains the importance of a personal inventory and then sharing “the exact nature of our defects” with another person.

He stresses that trying to keep certain facts hidden almost always backfires: “If we skip this vital step, we may not overcome drinking.” You’ll hear him break down the alcoholic’s “double life”, the fear of past episodes being seen, and how that tension only fuels more drinking. There’s humour too, from the definition of “fine” as “fucked up, insecure, neurotic, and emotional” to riffs on favourite female lead singers.

But the tone stays grounded in recovery reality: building trust with a sponsor, being honest with doctors, and turning painful history into something that can help others. If you’re stuck in planning your recovery and struggling to move, this candid chat may nudge you to ask what your next small step into action could be.