Abstain is the word

On the occasion of the fifth group anniversary of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Dehradun, a public information meeting was organised recently at the Bar Association Hall, Court Compound, wherein members of the AA congregated.
AA is a voluntary, worldwide fellowship of men and women from all walks of life who meet together to attain and maintain sobriety and share their experiences, strengths and hopes with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
Says one member, “The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There is no fee for AA membership, which is self-supporting through contributions by members. Its primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.�
AA was started by a New York stockbroker and an Onio Surgeon who had themselves become ‘hopeless’ drunks. They founded AA in an effort to stay sober themselves as well as to help others who suffered from alcoholism. AA grew with the formation of autonomous groups, first in the United States and then around the world.
In India AA started in 1957 in Mumbai. Presently in India there are over 250 groups with over 5000 members which hold over 150 AA meetings every week, inclusive of 25 meetings in large industrial organisations and group meetings in hospitals.
When asked how the members maintained sobriety, a member informed that AA is a programme of total abstinence and members simply stay away from one drink one day at a time.
Sobriety is sought through sharing of experiences and eventually through a system of 12 steps of recovery that have over the years evolved through trial and error. Anonymity above all is the spiritual foundation of AA, which disciplines the fellowship to govern itself by principles rather than personalities.
“We strive to make known our programme of recovery, not individuals, who participate in the programme. Anonymity is assured to all members, especially to newcomers. AA membership is not disclosed.�
AA does not keep membership records or case histories and can work only for those who have a desire to stop drinking. Says a member, “It may even work for those who feel they are being prodded in the direction of AA. Many of us made our first contact with AA because of social or job pressures.�