Stories from the High & Dry

Revealing, touching, sometimes startlingly frank stories from Seattle Intergroup's newsletter, High & Dry. Here they are as they appeared in the newsletter over the past thirteen years. All are arranged by year—use the navigation bar to access a particular year. Read, enjoy, and perhaps learn. New ones will be posted after they have appeared in the High & Dry.

1999

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WHO SAYS THERE'S NO ALCOHOLISM IN SALT LAKE?--Behel H.
HE SAVED FREMONT FROM EXTINCTION-Herb W.
AA MEMBERS WENT ALL OUT FOR 12 STEP PROSPECTS-Erv M.
FROM A BROKEN-DOWN DRIFTER TO A MAJOR ALASKA OILFIELDS CONTRACTOR-Irish C.
LOOK OUT. SHE DOESN'T MINCE WORDS-Denise D.
IN AND OUT OF JAIL, HE FOUND A NEW LIFE IN AA--Everett O.
SPIRITUALITY AND SERVICE ARE HIS MAINSTAYS--Milan P.
TOLERANCE AND ACCEPTANCE ARE THE NAMES OF THE GAME-Maxine H.
ONCE IN AA, HE KNEW IT WAS THE RIGHT PLACE-Ken M.

2000

CALIFORNIA TRANSPLANT HELPED FOUND SERENITY HALL-Andy H.
PRISON WAS A TOUGH AA TEACHER-Floyd C.
SOBRIETY STARTED WITH A PHONE CALL TO A.A.-Roger S.
A DAILY QUART OF VODKA WITH BEER CHASERS WAS A BIT TOO MUCH-Marilyn S.
IT TOOK HIM THREE TIMES OUT AND A HIGHER POWER TO GET IT-Al. W.
IT WAS ´FREMONSTER´ IN THE OLD DAYS-Annie D.
A TREATMENT PROGRAM GOT THIS OLDTIMER SOBER-Angus L.
A BELOVED VOICE FROM OUR PAST-Eric B.
PATRIOTISM AND BOOZE WERE NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORS-Lloyd P.
BACK FROM THE EDGE TO THE GOOD LIFE-Marion S.

2001

WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND-Ralph B.
FREMONT HALL, WHERE SOBRIETY BEGAN FOR THOUSANDS
COULD THERE BE A TOUGHER START THAN THIS?--Harriet T.
52 YEARS AND COUNTING, AND IT DIDN'T LOOK LIKE THEY'D MAKE 15-Laurel and Mary M.
JOIN THE ARMY AND DRINK YOUR WAY AROUND THE WORLD-Gabe R.
IT'S TRUE: MIRACLES CAN HAPPEN IN AA-Steve M.
I WAS AN ALCOHOLIC, THE BEST NEWS I EVER HAD-Duane T.
FOR HER, FREMONT WAS A LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE-Karen R.S.
IF IT WEREN'T FOR HIS WIFE, HE MIGHT STILL BE OUT THERE-Sam. G.
SHE'S OUTSPOKEN, FUNNY, BAWDY, TOUGH, AND A GRAND LADY-Mary B.
SHE HATED THE WORLD ´TIL SHE LEARNED TO FORGIVE-Mary B.

2002

BOOZE BLOCKED OUT SOME IMPORTANT HISTORY-Ernie M.
DEAFNESS AND BOOZE, A DOUBLE WHAMMY-Laurel W.
KENT COUPLE DAYLIGHTS A RARELY DISCUSSED REALITY-Ken & Deborah J.
SOBER 40 YEARS, HE KNOWS YOU HAVE TO KEEP WORKING THE PROGRAM-Lloyd B.
IT WAS A TOUGH BEGINNING, BUT LOOK AT HIM NOW-Dave A.
YOUNG PEOPLE ARE MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS TO ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS TOO-Chris G.
FOURTEEN YEARS OF HARD TIME HAS PAID OFF FOR HIM-Al S.
TIME TO LET IT ALL HANG OUT-Dick S.
ONE GOOD THING LEADS TO ANOTHER-Pat M.
SPONSORSHIP IN ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS IS A NO-NONSENSE BUSINESS-Robert G.

2003

WHEN OPPOSITES ATTRACT, THEY´RE THE WINNERS, AND SO IS AA-Karen & Clark S.
THIRTY YEARS OF SOBRIETY, BUNGEE JUMPING, MOUNTAIN CLIMBING-WHAT DO YOU DO FOR AN ENCORE?-Maryjane McN.
LIFE IN THE ´BURBS, OR HOW I ENDED A PARENTS´ MEETING SKINNY DIPPING WITH MERCER ISLAND´S FINEST-Jill B-D
YOU CAN BE SMART AND STUPID AT THE SAME TIME-Ken H.
IT´S NEVER TOO LATE TO GET SMART ABOUT YOUR DRINKING-Ken H.
YOU NEVER KNOW WHERE SALVATION IS COMING FROM-Jack & Doreen
HOW TO BEAT YOURSELF TO A PULP AND THEN FIND THE GOOD LIFE-Ron N.
HE GOT SICK AND TIRED OF BEING SICK AND TIREDJohn C.
HARD NOSED, PERSISTENT 12-STEP WORK MADE A NEW LIFE FOR THIS DRUNK-Theresa M.

2004

FROM FRAT BRAT TO MARINE JOCK TO UTTER DEGRADATION: HE PROVES ANYBODY CAN MAKE IT BACK-Tom K.
IS IT TOO LATE TO CLEAN UP THE LANGUAGE IN MEETINGS? SHOULD WE?-Dee C.
LIFE ON LIFE´s TERMS´ HAS SPECIAL MEANING FOR HER-Colleen L.
WAS THERE EVER A GREATER CHALLENGE TO SOBRIETY THAN THIS?-Roberta W.
BOBBY D. TELLS IT ALL, AND THAT´S ONE WAY TO STAY SOBER-Bobby D.
HE DID THE HARD TIME BEFORE HE FOUND THE GOOD TIMES-Mike R.
FLYING HIGH, FLYING LOW, AND THEN A SUCCESSFUL LANDING-Laurie L.
A.A.´s BIG TENT COVERS A LOT OF GROUND-Atheists & Agnostics
SHE´S DONE A LOT OF LIVING, IN AND OUT OF A.A.-Phyllis C.
THIS DRUNKEN FISHERMAN SERVED MANY A KNUCKLE SANDWICH-Harold B.

2005

A.A. AND A SPINOFF HAVE BEEN VITAL FORCES IN HIS LIFE-George H.
IT TOOK A PUSH FROM ALANON TO TURN HER TOWARD SOBRIETY-Jackie F.
WHEN THE BIG BOOK SAYS "BE HONEST," HE TAKES IT SERIOUSLY-Glen F.
I DIDN´T POUR THAT BOOZE OVER MY HEAD TO GET DRUNK-Beatrice M.
DON´T DRINK, CUSS OR CHASE WOMEN: WELL, TWO OUT OF THREE ISN´T BAD-Marvin E.
YOU GOTTA LOVE THESE GUYS AND GALS FOR THE WAY THEY LOVE THEIR GAME-Sober Softball
GAIL AND EDDIE FOUND A LOT MORE THAN SOBRIETY IN A.A.-Gail & Eddie H.
ATTRACTION, NOT PROMOTION: ASTRI IS EXHIBIT A THAT THAT´S HOW IT WORKS- Astri T.
THE GOVERNMENT CAN MOVE IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS.-Kathy L.
SHE HAS GIVEN UP GEOGRAPHICAL CURES AND CHAOS FOR A.A. LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE- Barbie W.
JUST FOLLOW THE RULES AND YOU CAN STAY WARM AND DRY - Eddie W. & Jim N.
FROM A GUY WHO DIDN'T FINISH THE SIXTH GRADE TO A HOT PHRASE MAKER - Toni R.

2006

WHERE WAS THERE TIME FOR THE 3 R'S?- Trisha C.
GETTING DRUNK WAS THE THING TO DO WHEN SHE WAS GROWING UP - Pat P.
WHITE OWL AND JOB THREAT: HIS ROUTE TO SOBRIETY - Michael M.
ALCOHOL NEARLY DESTROYED THIS FAMILY. A.A. RESTORED IT - Betty & Dan H.
IF IT AIN'T ONE ADDICTION, IT'S ANOTHER - Joan G.
WHATEVER IT TAKES: HE CAME TO A.A. BLOODY AND BOWED - Paul P.
SOMETIMES IT TAKES A LIFETIME TO ACHIEVE SOBRIETY - Pat M.
HER HIGHER POWER, WITH HELP FROM HER DAUGHTER AND HER BOSS, TURNED HER LIFE AROUND - Nora M.
FORTY NINE YEARS OF SOBRIETY DOESN'T COME WITHOUT ITS UPS AND DOWNS - Betty M.
FIGHTING WASTE AND HELPING OTHERS IS HIS A.A. - Kevin B.
THERE ARE THE MAKINGS OF A NOVEL HERE, BUT WHO'D EVER BELIEVE IT? - Robert C.

2007

GOD DID THE DRIVING ON THAT WILD TRIP TO SEA-TAC - Harry G.
"WE ARE ALL PART OF A CHAIN THAT GETS AND THEN GIVES. THAT'S HOW IT WORKS." - Barbara M.
BOOZE AND SOBRIETY CENTRAL TO THIS LOVE AFFAIR - Helena D. & Rich B.
THE LUCKY ONES FIND THEIR BOTTOM EARLY - Jacob W.
ACTOR, RECOVERED CULTIST, FORMER DISHWASHER - Marvin R.
BAR BOUNCER, CRAB FISHERMAN, CANCER SURVIVOR, LAZARUS: HE HAS PLAYED MANY ROLES IN HIS LIFETIME - Tom I.
WHATEVER IT TAKES: HIDE FROM THE COPS IN A TREATMENT CENTER, COME OUT SOBER - Kip S.
YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT SOBRIETY WILL DO FOR YOU TILL YOU TRY IT - David R.
SHE´S LUCKY TO BE AROUND TO BE SOBER - Dawna H.
AT LEAST IT WAS AN OXYGEN TANK AND NOT THE CONTROL STICK - Jim H.
IT´S A LITTLE HARDER TO QUENCH YOUOR THIRST IN SEATTLE, BUT AN ALCOHOLIC CAN MANAGE - Lee C.
YOU MEAN THIS LITTLE LADY DID ALL THAT STUFF? - Diane L.

2008

HE EPITOMIZES LOVE OF THE GAME - Bob F.
NOTHING LIKE A COMMON INTEREST TO ESTABLISH FAMILY TOGETHERNESS - Joe B.
HOW MUCH ABUSE CAN A BODY TAKE? - Tom L.
´SINGLE BY CHOICE´ AFTER TESTING EXTENSIVE TESTING OF ALTERNATIVES - Judi N.
TWO STRIKES AND YOU´RE BACK IN - Richard I.
TIME BEHIND BARS STICKS IN YOUR MEMORY - Dave W.
THEY EARNED THEIR SOBRIETY THE HARD WAY - George & Geri F.
EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY WAS A DRUNK, AND NOW THEY´RE ALL SOBER - Elise V.
A LOVE AFFAIR BUILT AROUND ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS - Andy & Colett A..
THREATENING YOUR BOSS CAN BE HARD ON YOUR CAREER - Bob F.

2009

NURSING, POWS, ALCOHOL, ARTILLERY FIRE: SHE SAW IT ALL IN WORLD WAR II - Lucille L.
A DOG, A DEAD CAT AND A KILLING HANGOVER = SOBRIETY - Dianne & Glen F.
IF YOU THINK HE´S DRUNK, HE CAN STRAIGHTEN YOU OUT - Tim M.
HE FOUND SOBRIETY THROUGH THE BACK DOOR - Dave J.
THEY SHOWED THE FAMILY A NEW WAY OF LIFE - Larry & Bill B.
EVEN THE TAVERN OWNERS KNEW HE NEEDED TO GET SOBER - Don M.
THROUGH THICK AND THIN, HE HAS COLLECTED 50 YEARS OF SOBRIETY - Joe M.
THE SOBER LIFE IS AS GOOD IN MEXICO AS IN SEATTLE - Barbara & Jim H.
RACISM IS A FACT OF LIFE THAT YOU CAN WORK YOUR WAY THROUGH - Bill F.
WHEW!! ´TOTAL SURRENDER´ DIDN´T HURT HIS CREATIVITY - David K.
PLENTY OF UPS AND DOWNS, BUT HE HAS ALWAYS LANDED ON HIS FEET - Edward T.

2010

FROM BRAWLING, DRUNKEN SEAMAN-CRIMINAL TO RESPONSIBLE, CONTRIBUTING A.A. MEMBER - Richard C.
"I DON´T WORK MY PROGRAM. I WORK THE PROGRAM" - Roy and Carol C.
ALCOHOLISM IN INDIA IS JUST AS DESTRUCTIVE AS ANYWHERE ELSE - Vimla K.
HE CONFRONTED THE ´OTHER´ DRUGS AND CAME DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE BIG BOOK - Jim P.
HARD WORK AND ALCOHOL DEFINED HIS LIFE - Roosevelt S.
HE IS A STANDOUT GUY IN A LOT OF WAYS - Ray Y.
HE´S A RENAISSANCE MAN WHO DOESN´T KNOW WHEN TO QUIT - Les D.
HE KNOWS HOW TO PUT ONE WORD AFTER ANOTHER - George F.
HE IS EXHIBIT A FOR SURVIVING BODILY ABUSE - Jesse T.
SERVICE CAN BE A MIXED BAG, BUT HE FOUND A JOB THAT FITS - Herb S.
HIGH RISE CIRCUS AERIAL WORK WAS EXCITING, BUT IT WAS NO ROAD TO SOBRIETY - Susan S.
THIS IS A MAN WHO´S LUCKY TO BE ALIVE AND SOBER - Nate T.

2011

THE STORY OF THE COUNTRY BOY WHO MADE AND LOST MILLIONS AND STILL HAS HIS SERENITY - Michael Mc.
MEETING BILL AND LOIS MADE A TRIP TO FLORIDA WORTHWHILE - Beatrice J.
SHE STARTED EARLY AND QUIT EARLY AND NOW LIVES LIFE TO THE FULLEST - Jill W.
IT TOOK 20 YEARS, BUT HE IS NOW ONE OF OUR MOST DEDICATED MEMBERS - Don H.
HIS FATHER WAS A PROTECTIVE, HARD-DRINKING HEAD OF HIS FAMILY - John D.
HERE´S A WHOLE NEW CAN OF WORMS TO THINK ABOUT - Ric B.
BUGS BUNNY WAS AN ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHER - Carlos E.
GOD AND THIS MAN HAVE WORKED HARD FOR SOBRIETY - Jerry J.
NOBODY EVER WORKED HARDER FOR STABILITY AND SERENITY THAN MR. ANONYMOUS - Mr. Anonymous
A.A. IS HELPING HIM REPAIR THE EMOTIONAL SCARS FROM SERVICE IN VIETNAM - Dave N.
THEY´RE BIKERS, BUT IT´S SAFE TO TAKE THEM OUT FOR COFFEE - Steve B.
A.A. KEEPS HIM SOBER EVEN IF HE´S NOT A MEMBER - John O.

2012

RACISM, ALCOHOL, DRUGS: GROWING UP WAS NOT EASY - Cynthia & David S.