John C - May 20, 2026

John C - May 20, 2026

How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? John Collins shares a story that stretches from juvenile trouble and repeated prison sentences to long-term recovery and meaningful service in Alcoholics Anonymous. You'll hear how John, who calls himself a "hopeless, homeless, barefoot, shirtless, derelict, thieving, habitual felon alcoholic," reached a breaking point on 9 September 1996 and began a completely different way of living.

He talks candidly about the "phenomenon of craving" that meant once he started drinking, no amount of love, responsibility or legal trouble could get him to stop. Prison, treatment centres and probation came and went, but lasting change only began when he finally worked all twelve steps. John’s style is raw and funny, mixing dark humour with clear AA principles.

He jokes about "smoking an outside issue" and becoming a Buddhist in prison purely to get a vegetarian diet, only to find himself tricked into learning meditation and step 11. He explains his simple breath-counting practice and how it helped him resist impulses, pause before reacting, and stay present. A big part of his message is about action.

He stresses that AA is a "counterintuitive program" where you can work the steps "belligerently and skeptically" and still get results, as long as you actually do them. He describes making financial amends from inside prison, joining a home group before release, and the importance of unity, service and recovery. Today he talks about raucous fellowship dinners, long-term employment, a committed relationship and being asked by his niece to walk her down the aisle—all things he links directly to AA.

John’s closing reminder is blunt but caring: don’t say you’ve tried AA until you’ve "sat all the way down, shut all the way up, and worked all 12 steps." If you’re wondering whether a bigger life is possible without alcohol, this story might be the nudge you need.