AA in Hanoi (November 24, 2025)
One of the greatest gifts of Alcoholics Anonymous is that it is global and available in English in nearly every part of the world. For anyone who is in a program of recovery, one of the most difficult challenges can be staying on the path of recovery — especially when travelling.
Today I was fortunate to link up with an English speaking Big Book meeting. It was exactly what I needed. In the rooms of AA there’s an acronym called SLIP — Sobriety Losing It’s Priority.
I was noticing this happening for me; especially spending so much time with my wife and daughter (and not being in my daily disciplined routines I’m used to having back home). I’m so glad to have had the time I shared with Elena and Violet. They are back safely in New York and adjusting to East Coast Time.
Now that I am back on my own for a few weeks, I’m resetting.
Starting with MEDS-RX
Back in New York (and for the better part of the past 6 years), my day started more or less the same. It started the night before when I would (near religiously) get to bed by no later than 10pm ET. So that I could …
Wake up at 5am
Meditate: Complete 30 minutes of meditation
Exercise: Complete 30 to 60 minutes of exercise
Diet: Eat healthy meals coordinated with my nutritionist
Sleep: A minimum of 7 hours a day
Relationships: Working on the ones that truly matter to me
X-Factor: Focused on one thing that impacts everything
Sobriety As My X-Factor
The X-Factor changes as my priorities change. There have been times when my business was my X-Factor and what mattered more than anything was to grow my business. As a newly married husband, it was about stepping into this role and balancing my work and relationship life — both providing for and living in the life I desired and was building. There was the time I was taking care of my newborn children who were challenging both Elena and I with sleep deprivation and new curveballs we had never before imagined. You get the idea.
But when it became clear I was, in deed, an alcoholic, sobriety became my #1 focus. Without my sobriety, everything else would be negatively impacted and ultimately at risk. It’s been 988 days since I had my last alcoholic drink and all that means is that I don’t want to lose that streak and start all over again with day one. In other words, “the cost of a drink goes up every day.”
And that’s why I’m eternally grateful to AA — at home in New York and abroad. Throughout my journey, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting with sober individuals throughout Europe and Asia. It started my very first week in Dublin, Ireland, and although I haven’t been to an AA meeting in every country, I’ve certainly done my best to join as many as I can along the way.
Each time I’ve met people just like me all over the world sharing the same struggle, same challenges and same kinship. It is tremendously helpful and I know I would not be on day 988 of sobriety without this continuous unwavering support.
If you (or someone you love) seek a program of recovery, I know of no better program in the world than AA.
