Alcoholics Anonymous

"Hello, my name is Anita and I am an alcoholic" when I walked into my first meeting and people came up to me and introduced themselves, I thought there is no way I will be saying that. I had a drink problem yes, but I was not an alcoholic.

As I sat and listened to these people sharing their experience, strength and hope I gradually came to understand that I was not alone. Here were people who thought and felt the way the way that I did, the only difference, at that time, was they that they did not drink on a daily basis and their life had become manageable, they also smiled and laughed a lot. From telling exactly how much I drank and not feeling I had to lie about it, hope came to me that I too could get through 24 hours, then 72 and 96 without and alcoholic drink, something I had not done in over 20 years.

Alcoholics Anonymous has helped me to put down the alcohol on a daily basis, life is now for the living and goes far beyond what I thought was possible when I was drinking. The twelve step programme gives me the acceptance that I am an alcoholic but I do not need to drink alcohol to live life. I am able to manage my life with all its ups and downs and its problems and now a lot of happy times. If I have a problem there is always someone there to ask for help, no matter what time of the day or night. Today I have close friends and family to share my life.

It was suggested to me that if I did not pick up the first drink then I could not become drunk, this took a little understanding, but after several visits to meetings and listening, my head became clearer and I began to understand. Yes, without the first drink, it was not possible to become drunk. The primary purpose of Alcoholics Anonymous is to stay sober and to help other people achieve sobriety.

Members of Alcoholics Anonymous are available to give talks to schools, colleges and groups of professionals if required, we can be contacted either by telephone or our website.

East Midland Help Line 0115 941 7100

National Help Line 0845 7697 555

By Anita