ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS HISTORICAL DATA Dr. Bob & Bill W. HISTORICAL DATA AA had its beginning in 1935 at Akron, Ohio, as the outcome of a meeting between Bill W., a New York broker and Dr. Bob S. an Akron surgeon, both hopeless drunks. When Dr. Bob and Bill met the effect on the doctor was immediate. This time, he found himself face to face with a fellow sufferer who had made good under the spiritual influence of clergyman Dr. Samuel Shoemaker and help from and old time friend Ebby T. Bill emphasized that alcoholism was a malady of mind, emotions and body. This all important fact he had learned from Dr. William Silkworth of Towns Hospital in New York, where Bill had often been a patient. Though a physician, Dr. Bob had not known alcoholism to be a disease. Responding to Bill’s convincing ideas, he soon got sober, never to drink again. Thus the founding spark of AA had been Stuck Dr. William Silkworth Towns Hospital Bill W. & Ebby T.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS IN INDIA HISTORICAL DATA A Canadian named Charley Marshall was posted by his employers to the Candian Embassy at New Delhi. Prior to his coming to India, Charley wrote to our co-founder, Bill W. informing that he was being sent to New Delhi and "naturally I would like to keep up my A.A. activities, and if there are any contacts there, that I can get in touch with, I would surely welcome the opportunity". The reply from General Service Office, N.Y. gave the contact names of Sylvia M. and Suppatti M. In 1956, Sylvia M. was being treated by Dr. D'Netto, a psychiatrist attached to the Indian Navy, who then was a Surgeon Lieut, and later on retired with the rank of Rear Admiral in the Indian Naval Medical Services.It was Dr.D'Netto who had advised Sylvia to contact G.S.O. New York from New Delhi. That is how G.S.O. New York was able to give the contact addresses of Sylvia M. and Suppatti M. to Charley Marshall. Confirmed correspondence indicates that Charley M. arrived in New Delhi on 12th January 1957 and was able to locate Sylvia and Suppatti M. within a week. He then began to give "ads" in local newspapers offering help to those with a drinking problem. It was through one of these "ads" which Harold Mathias responded that enabled him to call on Charley M. personally in New Delhi. A letter from G.S.O. New York to Charley M. dated 5th March 1957 saying "Thanks so much for your letter dated 24th February 1957 and the enclosed registration card for the New Delhi Group". This indicates that an A.A. group was started in New Delhi in early February 1957. Harry M. spent some days with Charley at Delhi learning about the disease of alcoholism and the programme and spiritual principles of Alcoholics Anonymous. He returned to Mumbai armed with the literature given to him and stopped drinking from 5th May 1957 till his premature sober death on 5th June, 1967. Harry M.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS What is Alcoholics Anonymous all about? 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 A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization 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.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS What does Alcoholics Anonymous do? Alcoholics Anonymous members share their experience with anyone seeking help with a drinking problem; they give person-to-person service or “sponsorship” to the alcoholic coming to AA from any source. The AA program sets forth a Twelve Step program that offers the alcoholic a way to develop a satisfying life without alcohol. The program is discussed at AA group meetings. a) Open speaker meetings b) Open discussion meetings c) Closed discussion meetings d) Step meetings e) Institutional / Treatment/ Correctional meetings

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS What Alcoholics Anonymous does not do? Solicit members Engage in or sponsor research Keep attendance records or case histories Join “councils” of social agencies Follow up or try to control its members Make medical or psychological diagnoses or prognoses Provide drying-out or nursing services, hospitalization, drugs or any medical or psychiatric treatment Offer religious services Engage in education about alcohol Provide housing, food, clothes, jobs, money, or nay other welfare or social services Provide domestic or vocational counselling Accept any money for its services or contributions from non-AA sources Provide letters of reference to parole boards, lawyers, court officials

According to the recent WHO meet, 140 million men and women suffer from alcoholism worldwide.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) estimates their membership to be over 2 million in over 180 countries around the world.

INDIA Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in India estimate their membership to be: a) Over 20,000 members b) Over 850 AA groups all over India c) 47 AA Service Centers/ AA intergroups d) Available in almost all States & Union territories

The basic text “Big Book” of alcoholics anonymous is available in 11 languages 1) Hindi 2) Marathi 3) Telegu 4) Tamil 5) Bengali 6) Punjabi 7) Malayalam 8) English 9) Kannada 10) Gujarati 11) Nepali

Basic literature is available in the form of 45 different pamphlets Basic literature is available in the form of 45 different pamphlets. Available in Regional Languages even.

Facts about Alcoholism - Some Myths and Facts about Alcoholism - What makes the task of identification even more difficult are the myths surrounding alcoholism. Here are some : Myth Fact But he’s too nice to be an alcoholic. Lots of alcoholics are nice guys. Alcoholism has nothing to do with personality. But alcoholics are all bums Most alcoholics are ordinary, respectable people. Only about 3% are rock-bottom cases. But he’s not always drunk. Few alcoholics are. It’s what happens when they drink that counts. But he only drinks beer. Alcohol is alcohol. It’s not the type of beverage that matters, it’s the alcohol in it. But he’s too intelligent to be an alcoholic. There is no relationship between alcoholism and intelligence.

1. Do you lose time from work due to drinking ? A self diagnostic test administered by the johns Hopkins University Hospital, USA has been found useful to determine whether a person is an alcoholic or not : 1. Do you lose time from work due to drinking ? 2. Is drinking making your home life unhappy ? 3. Do you drink because you are shy with other people ? 4. Is drinking affecting your reputation ? 5. Have you ever felt remorse after drinking ? 6. Have you ever got into financial difficulties as a result of drinking ? 7. Do you turn to lower companions and an inferior environment when drinking ? 8. Does drink make you careless of your family’s welfare ? 9. Has your ambition - decreased since drinking ? 10. Do you crave for a drink at a definite time daily ? 11. Do you want a drink the next morning ? 12. Does drinking cause you to have difficulty in sleeping ? 13. Has your efficiency decreased since drinking ? 14. Is drinking Jeopardizing your job or business ? 15. Do you drink to escape from worries or trouble ? 16. Do you drink alone ? 17. Have you ever had a complete loss of memory as a result of drinking? 18. Has a physician ever treated you for drinking ? 19. Do you drink to build up your self-confidence ? 20. Have you ever been admitted to a hospital or institution because of your drinking ?

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

These are the 12 questions designed by A.A. Have you ever decided to stop drinking a week or so, but only lasted for a couple of days? Do you wish people would mind their own business about your drinking – stop telling you what to do? Have you ever switched from one kind of drink to another in the hope that this would keep you from getting drunk.

Have you had to have an eye-opener upon awakening during the past year. Do you envy people who can drink without getting into trouble. Have you had problems connected with drinking during the past year? Has your drinking caused trouble at home? Do you ever try to get “extra” drinks at a party because you do not get enough? Do you tell yourself you can stop drinking any time you want to even though you keep getting drunk when you don’t mean to?

Have you missed days of work or school because of drinking? Do you have blackouts”? Have you ever felt that your life would be better if you did not drink?

What’s your score Did you answer YES four or more times? If so, you are probable in trouble with alcohol. Why do we say this? Because thousands of people in A.A. have said so for many years. They found out the truth about themselves – the hard way.

“…..if our story is going to have the importance it deserve, it simply has to be told by those who lived through the experience…” Bill W. Jan. 23, 1954

We wish to thank all Doctors, Health officials and the various government authorities who have helped us over the years by beings our friends and helping us make patients aware in Hospitals, Clinics and other rehabilitation centers about the disease of alcoholism and how Alcoholics Anonymous can help the suffering alcoholic. Thank you ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

Where we can be found: Alcoholics Anonymous General Service Office (India) Room No. 1 & 2, Ground Floor, Municipal English School, Meghraj Sethi Marg, Mumbai – 400 008 Tel: 23075134, Fax 23011517 National Helpline: 23016767 Web Site: www.aagsoindia.org email: gsoindia@vsnl.com; gsoindia@gmail.com Al-anon web site: www.alanonindia.com