Tom P. Age 39 Sober since 12/12/12

Tom P. Age 39 Sober since 12/12/12

What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol? This conversation between host Mike S and guest Tom P, 39, sober since 12/12/12, digs into that question with raw honesty and a surprising amount of humour. Tom talks about his drinking "finish line" being blackout, not confidence or fun. From chugging vodka straight from the bottle to tapping the last drops out of a handle, he shares how drinking alone became his secret routine: work, couch, vodka, repeat.

Hurricane Sandy turns into both a binge and a turning point, ending with Tom losing his job after ignoring an ultimatum: "If you don't come in, we're done with you." At first, that felt like freedom. A few days later, staring in the mirror, it felt like rock bottom.

He walks through rehab, early meetings, and the moment a line from AA's *More About Alcoholism* hit him like a brick: "The idea that somehow, some day he will control and enjoy his drinking is the great obsession of every alcoholic." That recognition becomes the foundation of his sobriety. A big chunk of the chat focuses on spiritual growth.

Both men talk about struggling with the word "God" and reshaping a higher power from a punishing figure into something more like a supportive friend. Daily practices are simple: honesty, a kinder inner voice, and waking up with the intent to help someone else. The episode also spends time on family dynamics, feeling "love avoidant", and the classic AA tension between looking at "my part" in problems and recognising when a situation is just unhealthy.

Tom’s amends — especially to his brother-in-law and former employer — show how sobriety can repair trust without rewriting the past. If you're wondering whether you're alone in your drinking patterns or early recovery fears, this story offers company, clarity, and a reminder to "just keep trudging" one day at a time. What finish line are you really chasing?