This article is from page 37 of the 2008-09-16 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 37 JPG
THE Clare Area branch of Alcohol- ics Anonymous (AA) is holding the 19th annual Clare Area Convention at the Auburn Lodge Hotel, Ennis from October 3 to 5.
The primary aim of Alcoholics Anonymous is to help members, through mutual support, to achieve and maintain sobriety, and to carry our message to the still suffering al- coholic.
SRoYer:hiapasleyccmssr-vimmAycompesveleleys meester and women worldwide, through the
help of the unique fellowship of Al- coholics Anonymous are demon- strating by their personal example that alcoholism as an illness can be treated.
AA members share their experi- ence with anyone seeking help witha drinking problem; they give person- to-person service or “sponsorship” to the alcoholic coming to AA from any source.
The AA Twelve Steps programme is the suggested format for recovery from alcoholism.
It offers the chance to develop a
satisfying life without alcohol. This programme is discussed at AA group meetings. Open speaker meetings are open to alcoholics and non-alco- holics.
At speaker meetings, AA members “tell their stories”. They describe their experiences with alcohol, how they came to AA, and how their lives have changed as a result of Alcohol- ics Anonymous.
Open discussion meetings are where one member speaks briefly about his or her drinking experience, and then leads a discussion on AA recovery or
any drinking-related problem any- one brings up. Closed meetings are for AAs or anyone who may have a drinking problem.
Closed discussion meetings are conducted just as open discussions are, but for alcoholics or prospective AAs only. Step meetings involve dis- cussion of one of the Twelve Steps.
The organisation does not keep membership records or release in- formation on members but it is esti- mated that there are over 750 groups and more that 13,000 members in Ireland, north and south.