20 questions to determine if your drinking is under control
Alcoholism can be cured and AA members now have good times without embarrassing their loved ones.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an organisation established in South Africa 70 years ago, that has helped people from all walks of life to recover from their alcoholism.
Alcoholism is a chronic disease distinguished by the constant intake of alcohol, to the degree that it hinders physical or mental health, as well as affecting the addict’s work or social behaviour.
Za* is a Public Information co-ordinator and an AA member who decided to quit drinking 32 years ago and joined the AA.
“I was an alcoholic. When I drank, no one understood me, I felt that the whole world was wrong, I was never at fault. I used to have blackouts when I drank.
I would not be able to remember anything that had happened while I was drinking, but the following day, people would tell me what had happened or what I did or said. Some people even made up stories about what I supposedly said and I would have to believe them, because they knew that I had blacked out and did not remember anything.
“I used to drink with my husband, but after I quit, he followed me to an AA meeting one day. As a result, he also quit and we have never looked back,” said Za.
Za said people at AA learn from one another; they are unashamed of the fact that they need help and they openly admit their mistakes and wrong choices, and they have support groups which are non-judgmental. They often see members being freed emotionally, psychologically, and physically and being emancipated from alcohol.
For Za, the first step was admitting she was powerless over alcohol and that her life was unmanageable. She managed to quit alcohol by sticking to the ‘avoid the first glass today’ slogan. By avoiding the first drink you see or that you are offered, you take back your power over alcohol.
“At AA we have made lifelong friends. We attend parties and celebrate one another’s recovery without alcohol. We have gratitude dinners, dress up and remember everything and we don’t embarrass our loved ones,” she said.
These are the 20 questions that determine whether or not you are an alcoholic – answer them as honestly as possible:
• Do you lose time from work due to drinking?
• Is drinking making your home life unhappy?
• Do you drink because you are shy with other people?
• Is drinking affecting your reputation?
• Have you ever felt remorse after drinking?
• Have you gotten into financial difficulties as a result of drinking?
• Do you turn to lower class companions and an inferior environment when drinking?
• Does your drinking make you careless of your family’s welfare?
• Has your ambition decreased since drinking?
• Do you crave a drink at a definite time daily?
• Do you want a drink the next morning?
• Does drinking cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?
• Has your efficiency decreased since drinking?
• Is drinking jeopardising your job or business?
• Do you drink to escape from worries or trouble?
• Do you drink alone?
• Have you ever had a complete loss of memory as a result of drinking?
• Has your physician ever treated you for drinking?
• Do you drink to build up self-confidence?
• Have you ever been to hospital or an institution on account of drinking?
If you think you need help, call 0861 435 722 or visit the AA Krugersdorp Group at the Lifeline Centre, corner of Boshoff and Commissioner Streets. Open meetings are on Thursdays at 7.30pm.
* Full name withheld to protect the speaker’s identity.
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