GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Many may not be aware that there is a group of people in Graaff-Reinet committed to helping others overcome their drinking problems.
On moving to the area many years ago, a couple who are both "dry alcoholics" tried to get a branch of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) started, without much success.
Last year another woman, who stopped drinking 19 years ago, felt challenged to become involved after a church minister, in a talk about giving to the community, expressed his amazement that there was no branch of AA in the town.
She spoke to the minister and offered to start a branch, and was put in touch with the other couple. A fourth person became involved, and the four founder members formally established a branch of AA in town last August. The AA group now meets every Monday evening at 18:00 at the Assembly Church Cafe in Caledon Street, and would welcome new members who feel in need of support, or anyone who would like to find out more.
Many people do not realise that they are in fact alcoholics and act in denial if their family members or friends tell them they have a drinking problem.
Being an alcoholic is a very serious problem indeed as it is a progressive disease, getting worse as time goes by unless the affected person stops drinking altogether. This is not an easy thing to do as many alcoholics who have tried will testify. One cannot simply reduce one's alcohol intake, as according to many recovered alcoholics this simply does not work, and the level of alcohol consumption soon returns to as much if not more than before.
The only thing that works is to stop drinking altogether, one day at a time. The four founder members have an impressive total of 93 years of sobriety between them but stress that it is the support of others that makes this possible.
All are welcome at the meetings, even if they are still at the stage of being "drinking alcoholics".
The only thing that is important is the personal desire to stop drinking – only alcoholics themselves can make the decision. The members of the group support each other to stay sober and would love to help the many others battling the same addiction.
The members would like to stress that AA is not affiliated to any religious group, and uses the Assembly Church Café purely as it is a convenient and welcoming venue.
There is no charge to attend meetings, but the support available from those who have been through the same experience is beyond price.
More information can be obtained from any one of the founders on 073 090 6958, 073 074 0055, 082 857 8728, or 073 939 1008.
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