If someone you love has a drinking problem, the information below will provide you with facts about a simple program of recovery. For six decades, Alcoholics Anonymous has been working successfully for men and women from every kind of background. Before these people joined the AA, most of them had tried to control their drinking on their own and, only after repeated unsuccessful efforts at such control, finally admitted that they were powerless over alcohol.
At first, they could not imagine life without alcohol; they certainly did not want to admit that they were alcoholics. But, with the help of fellow AA members, they learned that they did not have to drink. They discovered that life without alcohol not only was possible, but also could be happy and deeply rewarding. Often those closest to an alcoholic find it hardest to see and admit that someone they care about can be an alcoholic. Such a thing just can’t be true, it seems.
In their eagerness to deny the depth of the problem, they may for a time believe the alcoholic’s promises. But the repeated breaking of these promises and the increasing difficulties finally force those living with the alcoholic to acknowledge the truth. Then a desperate search for a solution begins. Feeling that all their love and well-intended attempts to help have been wasted, they become deeply discouraged.
If you have felt like this, take hope from experience of AA members’ spouses, relatives, lovers, and friends who once felt the same way, but have seen the problem drinkers they care about freed from the compulsion to drink. Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. AA is not allied with any denomination, politics, organisation or institution, does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any cases. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
The AA Estcourt branch hosts meetings every Tuesday at Forderville Primary School from 7pm to 8pm. Contact Desigan on 082 849 3014.
