Newcomers ask

This pamphlet is for those who are meeting Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) for the first time.

In it, we have tried to answer the questions that most often arise in newcomers - the same questions that we had when we first sought to connect with the community.

Am I an alcoholic?

If you repeatedly drink more than you want or intend to, if you get into trouble, or if you have blackouts when you drink, you may be an alcoholic. Only you can decide that; no one in A.A. will tell you.

What can I do if I am worried about my drinking?

Get help. Alcoholics Anonymous can help.

What is Alcoholics Anonymous?

We are a community of men and women who have lost the ability to control our drinking and have got into all sorts of trouble as a result. We try to live normally without alcohol - and most of us do. We find that to do this we need the help and support we get from other alcoholics in A.A.

Am I under any obligation if I go to an A.A. meeting?

No. The A.A. does not keep a register of members and does not use attendance sheets. You don't have to tell us anything about yourself. No one will question you if you don't want to come again.

What happens when I meet people I know?

They are there for the same reason you are. No outsider will be told who you are. In A.A. you can preserve your anonymity to the extent you want. This is one of the reasons why we call ourselves Alcoholics Anonymous.

What happens at an A.A. meeting?

There are many forms of A.A. meetings, but at each meeting you will meet alcoholics who will tell you what drinking has done to their lives and personalities, what they have done to help themselves, and how they live their lives today.

How can this help my alcohol problem?

At A.A., we know what it's like to be an alcoholic. We know what it is like to be unable to keep a promise to others and to ourselves to stop drinking. We are not professional therapists. The only expertise we have to help others recover from alcoholism is that we have stopped drinking ourselves. People who come to us with a drinking problem see that recovery is possible, because they meet people who have done it here.

Why do members continue to attend A.A. meetings even after their recovery?

At A.A. we believe that alcoholism is not a cure. We will never be able to drink normally again, and our ability to stay away from alcohol depends on maintaining our physical, mental and spiritual health. We can achieve this by regularly attending A.A. meetings and putting into practice what we learn there. In addition, we find that helping other alcoholics helps us stay sober.

How to join the A.A.

You become an A.A. member if and when you claim to be one. The only condition for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking, and many of us didn't even feel that sincerely when we first met A.A.

How much does an A.A. membership cost?

There are no fees or dues for A.A. membership. The A.A. group usually collects voluntary contributions during its meetings to cover the costs incurred (room hire, coffee, etc.). Members are free to decide whether or not to contribute.

Is the A.A. a religious organisation?

No. A.A. is not affiliated with any religious organisation.

But there is a lot of talk about God, isn't there?

The majority of A.A. members believe that we have found a solution to our drinking problem not through our own willpower, but through a force greater than ourselves. However, it is up to each individual to decide who or what this power is for him or her. Many call it God, others think it is the A.A. group; and some don't believe in it at all. In A.A. there is a place for everyone, whatever they believe or don't believe.

Can I bring my family to an A.A. meeting?

Family members or close friends are welcome to attend "open" A.A. meetings. You can find out more about this from your local A.A. group.

What advice do you give to new members?

In our experience, people who can recover in A.A. are those who

a.) stay away from the first glass of alcohol,

b.) regularly attend A.A. meetings,

c.) contact members who have managed to stay sober for a longer period of time,

d.) try to put the A.A. recovery programme into practice.

How can I contact the A.A.?

Look for Alcoholics Anonymous in your local phone book. The phone is answered by A.A. members who will be happy to answer your questions or put you in touch with someone who can answer them. If there is no A.A. telephone service in your area, write or call the A.A. General Service Office (postal address: General Service Office 1536 Budapest Pf.: 258 / Budapest phone: 06 1 251 0051 / website: www.anonimalkoholistak.hu)

These A.A. pamphlets can be of great help to you:

44 question

Do you need A.A.?

Letter to an alcoholic woman

The A.A. group

Do you have an alcoholic in your life?

Alcoholics Anonymous from the perspective of one of its members

A few words about A.A.

Remember: alcoholism is a progressive disease. Take this seriously, even if you think you are in the early stages of the disease. Alcoholism kills. If you are an alcoholic and continue to drink, you will get worse over time.