KOCHI: Alcholism is not a simple problem that can be solved with band-aid like solutions, it is an illness that must be treated with utmost care. Although efforts have been made by the government of Kerala for closing down the bars,the problem of alcoholism has only been increasing in the State.
In order to find out a long-term solution for this, Alcoholic Anonymous (AA), a fellowship for recovering alcoholics was started in 1935 in the United States of America with the vision to help people suffering from the disease of alcoholism and to make them stay sober by themselves. AA was first established in India in 1957 and Joykutty Mash was the first person to bring it into the soil of Kerala.
AA is a voluntary, non-profit society 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 of membership in AA is a desire to stop drinking.Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of AA. The word “ anonymous” is a promise of privacy that AA gives to its members. “ Anonymity in the public media is the assurance to all AA members. Especially to newcomers– that their AA membership will not be disclosed. We strive to make known our programme of recovery, not individuals who participate in the programme,” says Sahridhayan, an AA member.
AA meetings are usually conducted at schools, churches, and de addiction centres once or twice a week. The majority of AA meetings will be devoted to sharing, where the members can go and talk about their recovery as well as any problems they experienced.“This type of sharing can be highly therapeutic. If the individual can make a successful recovery, then it can inspire other members too. It is the main reason why people continue going to meetings even though they have been sober for many years,” says Sahridhayan.
Recounting his struggle with alcoholism, Girish Babu, a senior civil police officer says, “Alcoholism spoiled not only my career, it strained my relationship I had with my family. When I finally came to a point where I realised that alcohol was interfering with my normal living and I cannot live without it I sought help from AA. I attended meetings and things started to improve. Now I feel relaxed because I got my family back.”
AA relies on a 12-step recovery programme. These steps suggest ideas and actions that can guide alcoholics toward happy useful lives. One could become an AA member irrespective of social, economic and cultural backgrounds.
Purushothaman, who has been an AA member for six years says that for an alcoholic, one drink is not enough. “If we continue to drink, the problem will become progressively worse. They seem assuredly on the path to skid row, to hospitals, jails or other institutions or to early graves. The only alternative is to stop drinking completely, to avoid even the smallest quantity of alcohol in any form,” he said.
AA relies on a 12 -step recovery programme. These steps suggest ideas and actions that can guide alcoholics toward happy useful lives