Alcoholics Anonymous to hold programme

Margao, May 10: Though alcoholism, termed as a progressive disease, is said to have no cure medically speaking, Alcoholics Anonymous or AA is working full throttle towards helping thousands bid good bye to the bottle that has kept them hooked.

The Alcoholics Anonymous Inter Group, Goa, having 59 groups across the state and over 20,000 recovering or sober alcoholics is celebrating its golden jubilee in India and the 29th anniversary of its Cansaulim group by organising a special commemorative programme on May 14.

Alcoholics Anonymous, a worldwide fellowship of men and women from various walks of life having very little other than alcoholism in common was started in Ohio in 1935 and has over 22 lakh members in India alone.

According to AA members, the organisation is spread across 180 countries and portrays a remarkable unity of people who are bonded together by a set of traditional principles having no legal force at all.

It is another great occasion of AA in Goa as the Cansaulim group affiliated to the South Goa intergroup and one of the oldest group in the state that was started by the late Walfredo A from Arrosim-Cansaulim, who was instrumental in spreading the message of AA. The celebrations will be graced by former minister and Cortalim MLA, Mr Mathany Saldanha, Verna police inspector, Mr Nolasco Raposo along with Dr K R Kamath. A few AA birthdays will also be celebrated on the occasion.

Members referred to by special code names like ‘Roque D’ say that after visiting the doctor (the last possible thing that they do) alcoholics are warned against drinking. The de-addiction through medication normally depends on withdrawal medicines to help alcoholics recover from their drinking problem. However there is no guarantee and this leads the patient back to drinking.

“It is here that AA comes in handy. Using our group therapy we sensitise alcoholics leading him away from the bottle,” said an AA member. Attending these AA sessions, where real life experiences are shared, are a real help in leading to a sober and meaningful life.

AA then adopts its renowned 12-step method of recovery supported by regular group meetings and peer support. The programme is free of cost and supports itself through contribution from members. AA also does not accept contributions from non-members, though within the fellowship it does accept a limited membership fee.

A convention includes speaker meetings, a marathon session, new-comers workshop and Al-Anon participation. AA also has special groups for the children and wives of alcoholics.

In South Goa AA members on every Wednesday visit the detoxification centre atop Monte Hill in the T B Sanatorium premises to conduct a fellowship programme.

Also a look at the list of inter-groups indicates that an overwhelming majority of these groups operate from chapels or churches, although only the decided programme would be followed without any religious preaching.

“We are one here not bound by religion,” said an AA member adding that members simply say no to a drink one day at a time, sobriety is maintained through sharing experience, strength and hope at group meetings.

NT News Service