A. A. at a glance  

What is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)?  

Alcoholics Anonymous is a voluntary, worldwide fellowship of men and women from all walks of life who meet together to attain and maintain sobriety. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership.  

CURRENT MEMBERSHIP

It is estimated that there are more than 100,000 groups and more than 21,00,000 members in 150 countries. In India , there are over 500 groups which hold over 750 AA meetings every week, inclusive of 25 meetings in large industrial organizations and group meetings in Hospitals, There are over 10,000 members.  

RELATIONS WITH OUTSIDE AGENCIES  

The Fellowship has adopted a policy of “co-operation but not affiliation” with other organizations concerned with the problem of alcoholism. We have no opinion on issues outside A.A. and neither endorse nor oppose any causes.  

HOW IS AA SUPPORTED?  

Over the years, Alcoholics Anonymous has affirmed and strengthened a tradition of being fully self -supporting and of neither seeking nor accepting contributions from non-members. Within the Fellowship, the amount that may be contributed by any individual member is limited to Rs.20,000/- per year.  

HOW AA MEMBERS MAINTAIN SOBRIETY?  

AA is a programme of total abstinence. Members simply stay away from one drink, one day at a time. Sobriety is maintained through sharing experience, strength, and hope at group meetings and through the suggested Twelve Steps for recovery from alcoholism.  

WHY ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS IS ANONYMOUS’?  

Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of AA. It disciplines the Fellowship to govern itself by principles rather than personalities. We are a society of Peers. We strive to make known our programme of recovery, not individuals who participate in the programme. Anonymity in the public media is assurance to all AA’s especially to newcomers, that their AA membership will not be disclosed.  

ANYONE MAY ATTEND AA OPEN MEETINGS  

Anyone may attend open meetings of AA. These usually consist of talks by a leader and two or three speakers who share their experiences as it relates to their alcoholism and their recovery in AA. Some meetings are held for the specific purpose of informing the non-alcoholic public about AA. Doctors, Clergymen and public officials are invited. Closed discussion meetings are for alcoholics only.  

HOW AA STARTED?  

AA was started in 1935 by a New York stockbroker and an Ohio surgeon (both now deceased), who had been”hopeless” drunks. They founded AA in an effort to help others who suffered from the disease of alcoholism and to stay sober themselves. AA grew with the formation of autonomous groups, first in the United States and then around the world. AA started in Mumbai in 1957.  

WHAT AA DOES NOT DO?

AA does not : Keep membership records or case histories….. engage in or support reserch.... join “councils” or social agencies (although AA members, groups and service offices frequently co-operate with them).... follow up or try to control its members………..make medical or psychiatric prognoses or dispense medicines or psychiatric advice... .provide drying-out or nursing services or sanitoriums…. offer religious services... .provide letters of reference to parole boards, lawyers, court officials, social agencies, employers. etc. housing, food, clothing, jobs, money or other welfare or social services…..  provide domestic or vocational counselling.  

WILL AA WORK FOR EVERYONE?  

The AA programme of recovery from alcoholism, we believe, will work for almost anyone who has a desire to stop drinking. It may work even for those who feel they are being prodded in the direction of AA. Many of us made our first contact with AA because of social or job pressures.

But no matter how down-and-out an alcoholic may be, or how high he or she may be on the social and economic scales, we know from experience and observation that AA offers a sober way out of the squirrel cage of confused problem drinking. Most of us have found it an easy way.  

ARE YOU AN ALCOHOLIC?  

To answer this question ask yourself the following test question and answer them as honestly as you can. (if the answers are ‘No’ to all the questions re-answer them with the help of your spouse or the closest member of your family).  

Questions	Yes	No
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 ever got into financial difficulties as a result of drinking?	(   )	(   )
Do you turn to lower companions and an inferior environment when drinking?	(   )	(   )
Does drink make you careless of your Family welfare?	(   )	(   )
Has your ambition decreased since drinking?	(   )	(   )
Do you crave for 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 a physician ever treated you for drinking?	(   )	(   )
Do you drink to build up your self - confidence?	(   )	(   )
Have you ever been in a hospital or institution on account of drinking?	(   )	(   )

If you have answered YES or any one of the questions, there is a definite warning that you may be alcoholic.  

If you have answered YES to any two the chances are that you are an alcoholic.  

If you have answered YES to any three or more you are definitely an alcoholic.  

(The above test questions are used by John Hapkins Univercity Hospital, Baltimore, Md., in deciding whether or not a patient is alcoholic).  

I am responsible……    

When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of A.A. always to be there And for that : I am responsible.  

REGIONAL OFFICES OF A.A.  
A. A. SERVICE CENTRE
22/D. Crematorium Street,
KOLKOTTA - 700 014, Tel. : 91033-2841202

INTER GROUP OF AA KHARAGPUR
P.O.Box No. 2,
KHARAGPUR - 721301. (W. B.)  

INTER GROUP OF AA CHANDIGARH
Post Box No. 1721, Sector 36,
CHANDIGARH - 110036.  

INTER GROUP OF AA NEW DELHI
Free Church. Sansad Marg, Post Box No. 277,
NEW DELHI- 110001.  

INTER GROUP OF AA (AP).
Post Box NO. 780, Venkataeshwarapuram P.O.,
VIJAYWADA  - 520010.

INTER GROUP OF AA BANGALORE
No. 38. Park Area, 2nd Main. 9th B Cross,
Opp. Hambegowda School Ground,
Wilson Gargen. BANGALORE - 560027.  

INTER GROUP OF AA MALNAD
Post Box No. 35, Balehonnur - 577112.
CHICKMANGALUR - DIST. KARNATAKA.  

INTER GROUP OF AA D. K. (REGD.)
Lima Butting, Jayashreegate, Kuleshekhar.
MANGALORE -575005.
TEL.:910824 -211573,910824-211119  

INTER GROUP OF AA UDUPI
Post Box No. 72. UDUPI - 576101.

INTER GROUP OF AA KERALA
Post Box No. 572, P. 0. Challappuram,
KOZHIKODE -673002.

INTER GROUP OF AA. WAYNAD
Post Box No. 45. Waynad, Kerala (India).
KALPETTA -673121 Tel.: 0493 – 602181, 540017

INTER GROUP OF AA CHENNAI.
Community Service Centre,
17, Balfour Road, Kilpauk,
CHENNAI - 600010. Tel.: 91044 – 6441941
 

INTER GROUP OF AA GOA
Post Box No. 718,
MARGAO - GOA -403601.
Tel C/o 910832 – 720872

AA. NORTH GOA INTER GROUP
C/o. Family Service Centre, Opp Panjim Jetty,
PANJIM - GOA Tel.: 910832 – 224140

CENTRAL NIUNIBAI INTER GROUP
Our Lady of Dolores Church,
Nathalal Parekh Road, Wadala (W),
MUMBAI - 400031. Tel.: (O) 412 2203  

EAST MIJMBAI INTER GROUP
Gr.Floor, Jayantilal Vaishnav Marg, (Khot GalIi),
Municipal Marathi School, Near Station,
Ghatkoper (W). MUMBAI – 400086.  

SOUTH MUMBAI INTER GROUP
C/o. G.S.O. (India), G-3, Municipal English
School, Meghraj Sethi Marg. Byculla (W)
MUMBAI - 400008. Tel.: (0) 309 5526  

WEST MUMBAI INTER GROUP
Post Box No. 18710. M.K.K.Bhavan, Gundavli,
Azad Road, Andheri (E).
MUMBAI - 400 069. Tel.: (0) 830 4400

VASAI INTER GROUP
Post Box No. 36. Sanmarg AA Group Hall,
St. Michael Church Compound, Manickpur,
Vasai Road (W). DIST. - THANE - 401202.
 

NAVI MUMBAI INTER GROUP
Navi Mumbai NMMC Hospital,
R. No. 31, Sector No. 10 A,
Vashi, NAVI MUMBAI - 400703.  

THANE INTER GROUP
Post Box No. 188.
Thane (W), MUMBAI - 400601.  

INTER GROUP OF AA CHANDRAPUR
Post Box No. 2.
CHANDRAPUR - 442401.

INTER GROUP OF AA NAGPUR
Post Box No. 482. Shankar Nagar,
Post Office Nagpur, NAGPUR - 440010.  

INTER GROUP OF AA PUNE
R. No. 5, Pune Municipal Corporations,
‘A’ ward, Opp. Premises Nehru Stadium,
990. Shukrawar Peth. Tilak Road.
PUNE - 411002. Tel.: 91020-4468087

KALYAN INTER GROUP OF AA
Rukhrninibai Hospital. (K.D.M.C.) Hospital,
Behind Fire Brigade, Murhad Road. Kalyan (W).  

GUJRAT SERVICE CENTRE
Amit Clinic. Pani Ni Bhit. Soni Falia
SURAT - 395 003. Tel: 742 3570

SARENITY PRAYER

God !
Grant me the serenity to accept the I things, I can not. change
Courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference……  

Alcoholic Anonymous
TEL.: 23075134 / 2301 1517 / 2301 6767
E-mail : gsoindia@ysnl.com
Website : www.aagsoindia.org