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Frequently asked questions
Could I be an Alcoholic?
Only you know the answer to this. There is no medical test
for alcoholism.
Ask yourself the following questions and answer them as
honestly as you can.
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1:
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Is drinking making your home life unhappy?
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2:
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Does your drinking make you careless of your family's welfare?
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3:
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Do you drink because you are shy with other people?
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4:
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Is drinking affecting your reputation?
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5:
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Do you drink to escape from worries or trouble?
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6:
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Do you drink alone?
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7:
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Have you lost time from work due to drinking?
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8:
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Has your ambition decreased since drinking?
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9:
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Has your efficiency decreased since drinking?
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10:
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Is drinking jeopardizing your job or business?
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11:
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Have you ever felt remorse after drinking?
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12:
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Are you in financial difficulties as a result of your drinking?
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13:
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Do you turn to or seek an inferior environment when drinking?
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14:
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Do you crave a drink at a definite time each day?
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15:
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Does drinking cause you to have difficulty sleeping?
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16:
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Do you want a drink the next morning?
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17:
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Do you drink to build self-confidence?
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18:
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Have you had a complete loss of memory as a result of drinking?
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19:
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Has your doctor ever treated you for drinking?
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20:
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Have you ever been in hospital or prison because of drinking?
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If you have answered YES to any one of these questions, there
is a definite warning that you may be alcoholic.
If you have answered yes to two or more, the chances are
that you are an alcoholic.
Why do we say this? - because the experience of hundreds
of thousands of recovering alcoholics has taught us some
basic truths about our symptoms - and about ourselves.
OK - I think I might have a problem. How can AA help? What
sort of organisation is it?
This is a statement which has been read at the beginning
of each AA meeting throughout the world since 1947:
“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.
The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop
drinking. 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, politics, organisation
or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy;
neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose
is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.”
How does AA protect my Anonymity?
We only use first names at AA meetings. You may find yourself
next to a judge or a kitchen hand - you will never know.
If I go to an AA meeting, does that commit me to anything?
No. AA keeps no membership files or attendance records.
You need not disclose anything about yourself. No one will
bother you if you don't want to come back.
What happens if I meet people I know in AA?
They will be there for the same reason as you. They will
not reveal your identity to outsiders.
What happens at an AA meeting?
An AA meeting will take several forms, but at any meeting
you will find alcoholics talking about what drink did to
their lives and personalities; what action they took to
deal with this and how they are living their lives today.
Do I have to join in?
Absolutely not. Just come along and listen - that's how
we all started.
How can this help me with my drink problem?
We in AA know what it is like to be addicted to alcohol,
and to be unable to keep promises made to others and to
ourselves that we will stop drinking. We are not professional
therapists; our only qualification for helping others to
recover from alcoholism is that we are recovering ourselves.
Problem drinkers coming to us know that recovery is possible
because they see and hear people who have done it.
What will happen if I carry on drinking?
Our experience has been that Alcoholism is a progressive
illness. Take it seriously, even if you feel that you are
at an early stage. Alcoholism is a killer disease.If you
are an alcoholic and continue to drink you will get worse.
How do I contact AA?
Click on the contact link in the main navigation bar and
then make a phone call or send an email to nzgso@xtra.co.nz.
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