The Love of Service [Season 10, Episode 14]The Love of Service [Season 10, Episode 14]
AA Grapevine's Podcast
Mike L. recounts how early drinking, severe consequences and a long stretch of dry misery eventually led him into AA and deep involvement in service. His story highlights how general service, 12-step work and fellowship gradually eased lifelong fear and reshaped his life in sobriety.
33:16•6 Apr 2026
From Dry Drunk to Trusted Servant: Mike L.’s Big Leap into AA Service
Episode Overview
- Simply stopping drinking left Mike fearful, angry and unstable; he describes abstinence without a program as unworkable.
- Hearing other alcoholics share their experience, strength and hope in AA meetings gave him identification rather than criticism or advice.
- Being taken on 12-step calls and pushed into GSR and district roles drew him into service long before he felt ready.
- Service positions, especially literature work and travelling to events, slowly reduced his fear of people and helped him build genuine connections.
- Making himself available for service, rather than trying to control outcomes, opened unexpected paths, including serving as a regional trustee.
“I would argue it's not a stop drinking program. It's a live right program.”
Interested in the personal battles against addiction? This episode of AA Grapevine's Half-Hour Variety Hour centres on Mike L. from Omaha, Nebraska, whose long journey from terrified newcomer to General Service Board trustee shows just how far service can take someone in recovery. Hosted by Alice in Oakland and Sam in Palm Springs, the chat keeps a light, humorous tone while going straight into the messy reality of alcoholism.
Mike recalls his first drink at 14 as a "spiritual awakening" – that moment when a "warmth radiated" through him and he finally felt connected. The fun didn’t last. His drinking helped cost him a scholarship, led to a court martial in the military, and left him convinced that if he just ran far enough from his family, he’d be fine. Spoiler: he wasn’t.
Mike then talks about quitting alcohol on a purely willpower, non-spiritual basis for two and a half years. He stayed dry but miserable, living with the "bedevilments" from page 52 of the Big Book, turning fear into rage and acting out in dangerous ways – including chasing someone with a hammer and attacking a DJ who asked him to do the chicken dance.
As he puts it bluntly, "Abstinence is not a solution." What finally changed things was AA, Al-Anon influence through his partner, and being pulled into service before he felt ready. A sponsor-type figure, Cecil, dragged him on 12-step calls and "elected" him GSR without a vote he can remember. From there, service positions slowly chipped away at his terror of people.
Working literature tables, travelling for AA events, and later serving as a regional trustee helped him build genuine friendships worldwide and a life centred on "one alcoholic sharing experience, strength, and hope with another." If you’re wondering whether getting involved in service could change your recovery, this story might nudge you to ask: what happens if you stop limiting yourself and just make yourself available?
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