ALCOHOLICS Anonymous in Jersey is due to hold a public meeting at the Town Hall this evening as the fellowship looks to raise awareness of its presence in the Island.
The meeting is scheduled to take place from 5.30pm to 7pm in the Assembly Room.
There will be a number of speakers and anyone who wishes to attend is welcome.
Alcoholics Anonymous, which has over 2 million members worldwide, has been meeting in Jersey for 75 years.
There are 18 meetings held in the Island each week.
One of the individuals supported by the organisation, who wished to remain anonymous, told the JEP that they started drinking as a very young teenager and were subsequently asked to leave school at the age of 16.
They found Alcoholics Anonymous at the age of 19 – over four decades ago.
“Alcoholism is recognised by the World Health Organisation as an illness,” they said.
“Certainly in my own personal case, the moment I had a drink I just could not stop,” they continued.
“I could not stop until I was either unconscious or physically stopped, so to speak.”
They described the AA meetings as “very important”.
“For the first time, when I walked into an AA meeting, I was surrounded by people who I knew knew exactly how I felt.
“That’s why we have so many meetings a week. We also have a process of sponsorship when a young member or a new member comes through the doors. Someone normally takes them under their wing and guides them through the programme.”
