AA gives new lease of life to addicts

Vadodara: Alcoholics in dry Gujarat? Alright, so bootleggers thrive here and there is an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) as well.

While the AA Surat has 150 members, Vadodara and Ahmedabad have registered 30 members each. And their tales of rising from the sordid depths of drunkenness are similar to other states where bars are legal.

"While my son received laurels for the world championship trophy in skating for three consecutive years, I was least bothered. I did not even appreciate him. I was busy drinking and it was the only thing that gave me a high,"says William who works in a multinational company.

He has not touched the liquor ever since he joined AA last May. "I was an alcoholic, but was always afraid to accept the fact in public because it would bring social disgrace. I decided to quit drinking but could never do it.

I joined AA because I was told my identity would not be revealed a n d that deaddiction was the only motive here,"said doctor Jagdish, a physician.

AA has been helping those addicted through examples set by the alcoholics who have recovered. New members are encouraged to abstain from a drink a day, instead of swearing off "forever".

"I became numb and my hands and legs would shiver if I did not drink even for a day. Then I read about AA in the newspaper and became a member and my life changed,"said Mahendra, a government servant. Bhuria Seth, a private company employee said, "I used to beat my children and wife with hockey sticks and sharp- edged weapons after getting drunk.""Only by working with fellow members in AA did I learn to stay away from alcohol.

In the process, I found a support network to share my experiences with and came out of addiction,"he says. "One can call on the helpline number anytime during the day and join the group, we will guide them,"said one of the AA members. More people are joining the group, as the identity of the members is kept anonymous.

If you think AA only helps alcoholics, then Al-Anon, the fellowship for families of alcoholics also helps wives, mothers, sisters and brothers who have to go through the ordeal of handling tough situations.

Angela, chairman of Al-Anon states, "One needs to accept and forgive alcoholics as they are afflicted by a disease. You have to be patient."

Times of India