Do you or someone you know struggle with alcohol?
Australians have a propensity to love a drink, and it forms part of the fabric of our lives.
For some though things change, sometimes slowly and sometimes quickly when we have a drink.
Gradually alcohol, once enjoyed, starts to be a problem and affects our lives in ways we did not expect or even realise.
“Once we were confident persons who worked hard and loved switching off at night with a drink,” an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) spokesperson said.
“Over time we found ourselves drinking more and then the issues started to happen.
“We were no longer that responsible person, the good husband or wife, the son or daughter or the dad or mum.
“You say that’s not me, but sometimes we are only fooling ourselves. We have crossed the line from occasional drinking in moderation to actively thinking about when we can get the next drink.
“For some of us we hit rock bottom with depression, our partners leave or our kids do not want to know us. We blame the world that it is unfair, but some of us, the lucky ones decide they have had enough. “Family might convince us to stop drinking, but until we make that decision for ourselves, we have no chance.
“Some of us go to Rehabs and get forced sobriety but come out and drink once more, but this time the problems get worse. Some of us get encouraged to go to AA, but I am not an alcoholic they say. But when the question is asked “Has alcohol ever cost you more than money?” Our answer is yes it cost me ‘me’. We became something we never thought we would be, and our lives lost all purpose.
“Members of AA don’t walk around telling everyone we are alcoholics, but we come together regularly and talk about our life with alcohol.
“We stopped drinking and with the support of our AA mates turned our life around. We still have the same issues as everyone else, but now instead of drinking to sort our problems we talk to others like us. “It takes time and a bit of guts to start our recovery but with each day we slowly get better.
“If your life or that of a family member or friend is being affected by alcohol it’s never too late to seek help. AA members are here to help the newcomer and after a while you just no longer have the urge or desire to drink. Many a man and woman has been on this path and at meetings we welcome you with a handshake and a cuppa.
“We don’t tell you what to do, what we have learnt has been due to listening to others experiences. If you have had enough seek our meeting times, never be embarrassed as alcoholism is not a choice but just something that happens in some of us to which we have lost control.
“Choose to change your life forever. We cannot do the work for you but will walk holding your hand until you can walk by yourself.”
AA meetings are held Sunday evenings at 7pm at the Orbost Men’s Shed, 24
Tyndall Street.
