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Alcoholics Anonymous
Category: General Published on Thursday, 05 March 2009 01:09 Written by The Word Hits: 1222
The desire to stop drinking is the only prerequisite to take part in the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) programme, best known for its 12 steps to recovery from alcoholism.
The most basic tenets recommend that members completely abstain from alcohol, be honest in all their affairs, regularly attend meetings with other recovering alcoholics and help other alcoholics recover from alcoholism.
“We do not ask for money, we do not cite success rates, we do not advertise or promote, we do not have leaders, we do not own property or have facilities, we do not own or operate detox or rehabilitation facilities,” a local member explains. “Anonymity is a very important part of how the AA programme works.”
Alcoholism Has a Cure
Bill Wilson and Bob Smith are credited as the founding members of AA. Battling alcoholism on their own, the two were only able to beat the addiction with each other’s help. Bob Smith had his last drink on June 10, 1935 and this is considered by many to be the starting date for AA. One of the founding realisations was that alcoholism was a disease and, therefore, had a cure. Wilson and Smith shared their own experiences, strength and hope with other alcoholics to help them achieve sobriety.
The programme they used was laid out in a book written by Wilson and the other founding members. Although titled Alcholics Anonymous, today it is commonly referred to as The Big Book. It explains the twelve steps to sobriety and contains many personal stories about how others stopped drinking and still live fulfilling lives. It has been translated into numerous languages, including Vietnamese.
These steps to beating addiction include: the admission of addiction, examining past errors with the help of a sponsor, making amends for past harms and mistakes with the guidance from an AA sponsor, living a new life through a new code of behaviour (with honesty and consideration of others) and helping others suffering from the same addiction.
These principles were the foundation for The Big Book and have also been adapted to help beat other addictions like drugs and overeating. Wilson also created AA’s Twelve Traditions which complement the twelve-step programme. The Twelve Traditions are a guideline for how members and AA groups should interact with each other and the public.
Finding Help
According to the AA website, over 110,000 groups and nearly 2,000,000 members exist worldwide. At the moment, such groups in Vietnam can be found in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Vung Tau and Nha Trang.
“The only requirement for membership is the desire to stop drinking,” a member emphasizes. “If you are ready to take this step, the programme is available here in Vietnam. 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. There are no dues or fees for AA membership. We are self-supporting through our own contributions. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, organisation or institution (political or otherwise). We do not wish to engage in any controversy or endorse or oppose any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.”
If anyone living in Saigon has the desire to stop drinking please visit www.aahcmc.com. Meeting schedules are on the website or contact one of the members listed to have a private meeting first to discuss the programme.
More information can be found at www.aahcmc.com.