Chris W
Chris W
Sober Talk SA - Vanessa
Sober Talk SA - Vanessa
Sober Talk SA - Vanessa
Friday 9th January 2026
Vanessa shares her inspiring 34-year journey of sobriety through Alcoholics Anonymous in South Australia.
26 minutes
Inspiring
Honest
Hopeful
Healing
Supportive
About this podcast
Author:
Chris W
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Success Stories
Family Recovery from Addiction
Creative Recovery Journeys
Empowering Recovery Journeys
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
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Episodes:
129 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!Vanessa's Inspiring Journey to Sobriety
Episode Overview
- Vanessa's journey highlights the transformative power of AA.
- Community support is crucial for long-term sobriety.
- Prayer and spiritual practices can bring peace and calm.
- Service work offers purpose and strengthens recovery.
- Relapses are part of the journey but can lead to growth.
"I was lost. I felt lost. And so when I used to sit and pray with him, it felt peaceful."
Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? Vanessa, a member of Alcoholics Anonymous in South Australia, shares her remarkable story of recovery spanning over 34 years. With light-hearted humour and touching honesty, Vanessa recounts her initial struggles with alcohol and the transformative power of the AA community.
She paints a vivid picture of her early days, from the fear of losing her children due to DUIs to the pivotal moment when a fellow AA member, Bluey Nolan, extended a hand of friendship and guidance. Vanessa's tale is filled with moments of vulnerability and strength. Her journey takes her through a profound personal transformation, marked by an emotional breakdown and a spiritual awakening.
She describes the serenity and support she found in AA meetings, where she learned to pray and embrace the 'one day at a time' mantra. Vanessa's story is not just about overcoming addiction but also about finding a new purpose in life through service work and community involvement. Her experience highlights the importance of connection and support in recovery. Vanessa emphasises how AA meetings provided her with a sense of safety and belonging that she had never felt before.
She shares how her involvement in service work, from becoming a meeting secretary to opening new meetings, played a crucial role in maintaining her sobriety. Vanessa's journey is a testament to the power of community and the possibility of change. Her story inspires hope and reminds us that recovery is possible, one day at a time. So, what can we learn from Vanessa's story about finding strength in vulnerability?