I Am Responsible...

I Am Responsible...

How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? This RAW Recovery episode centres on a simple but demanding idea: "I am responsible." Dion, the host of The Daily Trudge, talks candidly about what responsibility looks like in real-life recovery, far beyond just saying sorry or admitting fault.

You’ll hear him unpack the Alcoholics Anonymous Responsibility Statement – "When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of AA always to be there, and for that, I am responsible" – and how it shapes his actions, from sponsorship to speaking up when something’s wrong in treatment settings. For Dion, responsibility means using his own lived experience and, as he puts it, his "privilege" to help others who aren’t being heard.

There’s plenty of humour and everyday examples too. He jokes about bad driving, fickle cats, and pumpkin on paper plates, but uses those stories to highlight how quick reactions and unchecked thinking can lead us into trouble. His take on the slogan "think, think, think" is refreshingly practical: think the drink through, think about consequences for others, and think about what could happen if you don’t drink.

The episode also looks at the difference between being responsible *to* someone and being responsible *for* them. Dion is clear that he can’t recover for anyone else, but he can show up, carry the message, and make sure the "hand of AA" is actually there when someone reaches out. Service work, sponsorship, attraction rather than promotion, and living the principles in everyday life all come up as key parts of that responsibility.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re really doing your part in recovery – or just going through the motions – this conversation might nudge you to ask: where am I truly taking responsibility today?