Alcoholics Anonymous in India turns 50 on May 5

I am responsible…. When anyone, anywhere reaches out for help, I want the hand of AA to be there… And for that I am responsible.

This responsibility has been the hallmark of the international fellowship Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which is going to complete 50 years of its formation in India on May 5.

The fellowship which has helped transform the lives of over 20,000 persons in India runs a 12-step programme for those who are suffering from alcoholism.

The life of 45-year-old Shashank Desai (name changed) blesses AA for completely transforming his life since he first approached them 15 years ago. He recalls: “In 1993, I was a complete drunkard. I used to drink regularly at work and had begun drinking even during the afternoon. My work life as well as my family life was in ruins.”

It came to such an extent that Shashank had to quit his job after getting into a physical brawl with his boss, and his wife and children were suffering from trauma because of his behaviour. That is when Shashank’s wife Sumana insisted that they visit a doctor and get him treated.

At the hospital, Shashank came to know about AA which was like a support group to help people like him quit drinking.

“I did not have the will power to do it by myself, I used to think that I do not have a problem. Being in denial, thinking I can leave it if I want. I used to stop drinking for a while and restart,” Shashank recalls.

But after he came to AA, the shared experiences of others who had undergone similar problems helped him deal better.

“Hearing them was like listening to my own story. Then when I saw that they could come over it, I realized so could I,” he proudly says.

For the last 15 years, Shashank has been a member of AA and now goes out to speak to the over 200 groups in Mumbai and Thane. Founded in 1957, the India chapter of AA has 800 groups and hold weekly, bi-weekly meeting for the members.

AA was started in 1935 by a New York based stockbroker and an Ohio surgeon who had been heavy drinkers. They founded AA in an effort to help others who suffered from alcoholism and to stay sober themselves.

AA runs strictly on anonymity and members do not talk or discuss about how they acquired alcoholism. They take the spiritual path to recovery through the 12 steps.

The AA is concerned solely with personal recovery and does not have affiliations with other groups or organizations.

As part of the golden jubilee celebrations on Saturday, the AA has organized a session at New English school in Thane where members from all over Maharashtra will participate. There is another day-long session on Sunday at the Birla Matoshree Sabhagriha, Bombay Hospital.

And as Shashank says, “I have come a long way from being spiritually bankrupt, to leading a successful life and running a good business and away from drinks. I want others to realize that they can do it too and we are there to help them do it.”

Mumbai Newsline