Drinking problem? Alcoholics Anonymous comes to town

Indian Express Newspapers

Ahmedabad, September 1: It would not be long before the alcoholics of the city will get a chance turn sober by being a part of the international club Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). On Sunday, the city chapter will hold it first meeting, which is expected to be attended by more than 60 persons from across the state.

AA already has chapters in Surat, Valsad, Vapi, Silvasa and Vadodara. The state headquarters is Gujarat Service Centre, which is located at Surat. Willam, convener of the Ahmedabad chapter, started the club currently has about 15 members. ‘‘Anybody who desires to stay away from alcohol is welcome to be a member and participate in our meetings, where the alcoholics extend support to each other and help themselves and other members remain sober,’’ he stated. All meetings are held behind closed doors and names and details of members are never made public, he stated.

The larger centres like Surat and Vadodara hold four meetings every week and the members are encouraged to follow a 12-step and 12-traditions programme to kick alcohol. ‘‘We also encourage in phone therapy where in our member can call another one every time he has an urge to drink,’’ says Willam, who became a member of the Vadodara chapter five months ago and has remained sober for four months now.

‘‘At our club it is a drinker who helps another drinker and this is far more successful that any of the detox centres,’’ he states. Asked why there was a need of such club here, he added, ‘‘Liquor is freely available at one’s doorstep here and this is like an open secret. With so much liquor flowing, alcoholics are many and hence this chapter.’’