03/20/2020
One of the most beautiful aspects of the recovery community in Birmingham is the variation in walks of life who play big roles to help carry messages of hope to others. Chances are you’ve seen our dear friend, Tom Braddock, if you’ve ever been to a treatment facility in Warrior’s Sunday service, you know of or are a male who lived in Sober Living in Bessemer, ate at a restaurant in the last 20 years, or have attended a wedding in the last 6 years.
Tom is an amazing human being. His journey began December 16, 1999 & the amount of lives he has touched is quite possibly in the millions at this point. His journey lead him to become an ordained minister. He is currently the director at a treatment facility integrating the 12 steps & faith based recovery- one of the first of its kind.
He was gracious enough to answer a few questions for us.
Q:What is your greatest accomplishment?
A:I am becoming the dad, husband, son, and uncle I have always wanted to become. I have began the journey to become the spiritual leader for my family.
Q:What basics did you learn early on that are still imperative today?
A:Rigorous authenticity, surrender the outcome, and do the uncomfortable work. Go to meetings and other spiritual growth vehicles daily to enlarge your spiritual lives . It takes 10 years to get 10 years of sobriety. When your wife loves you it to shall pass. Call your sponsor and have real talk.
Q:What advice do you have to those starting out?
A:I go to Church to learn about God and I go to AA to learn how to apply it. Rule 62. You are a miracle. Let us love you until you learn to love yourself.
Q:What advice do you have for loved ones of those begging their journey into recovery?
A:It is a journey and strong, loving, patience, resilient families will make it. One of the top indicators that some one will make it in recovery is that the whole family gets into recovery.
