The second way in which his story seemed different was that he talked mainly about what he’d gotten from recovery—not what he’d had to give up. He discussed falling in love and getting married. The joy he took in his wife and children shone in his eyes. He also described enjoying his career and activism, which made him feel like he was making a difference. His qualification was fascinating and quirky—quite the opposite of the catchphrase salad I associated with meetings. Perhaps most importantly, I could see that he was actually happy without drinking or taking drugs, not just trying to make
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