Patty D.'s 40-Year Sobriety: From Teenage Turmoil to Triumph
I've now been sober longer than I've lived drunk.
Imagine starting black-out drinking at just 11 years old. That's the reality Patty D. faced, leading her down a path of erratic and reckless behavior. By 16, she found herself in Alcoholics Anonymous, where she has stayed sober for over 40 years. Back in 1981, options for treating teenage alcoholics were scarce. Patty's parents, neither of whom were alcoholics, struggled to help her as she spiraled out of control with alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs.
Various groups and psychotherapy sessions did little to curb her addictions. The fact that she blacked out nearly every time she drank made it hard for her to see the link between her drinking and the dangerous activities she engaged in while drunk. Even an arrest at 15 following a car crash didn’t convince her to get sober. But as the consequences of her actions became more severe, Patty finally turned to AA.
In this episode of 'AA Recovery Interviews', Patty takes us through her journey of working the AA program, finding a sponsor, and reflecting on the gifts and challenges of sobriety. She offers advice for newcomers and discusses the importance of making conscious contact with a higher power. Patty's story is a powerful reminder that recovery is possible, even in the face of great adversity.