Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith in Akron, Ohio. Today it has grown into a worldwide organisation and fellowship for alcoholics and also familes and loved ones of alcoholics. The central tenet of its system of operation is as its name suggests, anonymity. When a person attends an AA meeting they are not required to disclose their real identity if they do not wish it and also must promise to never reveal the personal details of anyone else in attendance. An AA meeting allows the alcoholic, recovering or otherwise, to have a private location to share and learn from other alcoholics in their fight to achieve and to remain in sobriety.

AA meeting rooms are located all over the world and all meetings are structured in a similar fashion according to AA rules. An alcoholic from Brazil can find an AA meeting in Norway if on holiday or a business trip and in need of some encouragement amongst fellow recovering alcoholics.

The process of recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous follows a logical and spiritual path. The program known as The Twelve Steps is used to facilitate a gradual recovery process that helps the recovering alcoholic to look inward at their faults and also to nurture their inate abilities to foster a new understanding of their true life path in the wake of their destructive former past.

The Twelve Steps has been used in other addiction recovery programs because it addresses the core needs and personal trials that any addict must endure on the road to recovery. The first step is in my mind one of the most profound steps that is revealed to an addict which is: 'We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that our lives had become unmanageable.' This first step is an alcoholic admitting unreservedly that they have an addiction and are ready to turn their lives over to the steps and to a 'higher power' in whatever sense that power is personally to them.

We all should remind ourselves every now and then, no matter who we are or whatever walk of life that we come from that: there but for the grace of God (or whatever truth you believe in) go I.

There is probably no greater a humbling and soul changing experience than for a person to overcome a devastating addiction like alcoholism or drugs. To kick any crippling addiction is something of a heroic task in itself but many alcoholics also have to face recovery with the knowledge of an emotionally destroyed family, failed business or job and literally haul themselves up from the despair and sadness that they have caused into the cold light of sober reality.

When an alcoholic finally hits their rock bottom and asks for help their first AA meeting is like walking into a new life. Recovering and recovered alcoholics in AA are some of the most wise and humble people after they have emerged from their past lives of drinking. A new member in AA will always feel the acceptance and completely non-judgemental attitude of other members as a source of strength and hope to bolster them when they have moments of doubt and weakness. Members can share phone numbers or other contact details with members that are known as sponsors if they feel they can't cope on any particular day and are always on hand to assist.

I have lived amongst and have been affected by mine and other's alcohol addiction and know first hand of the spiralling devastation that alcohol addiction can bring. Addiction spares no one. It hurts loved ones like it were feeding on their despair. The alcoholic knows the hurt that they wreak but some cannot stop drinking until they have destroyed almost everything and hit their so-called rock bottom.

Alcoholics Anonymous has saved countless thousands and brought them back to sobriety and sanity. You are a valuable and lovable human being and the illness of alcoholic addiction can be overcome, so don't give up hope. If you feel that your drinking is causing you increasing problems no matter what stage you may be in your addiction please remember that there is a solution. Go to AA, talk to other alcoholics there and see what you think. If you do have a problem, keep coming back, it works !