CEBU, Philippines – On December 10, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) turned 30 years old in Cebu. The very first meeting was held in the same room at the Convent of Redemptorist Church, where weekly meetings (on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays and Saturdays) are being held to this day! It was the first AA meeting in the Philippines held outside of Manila. Redemptorist priest Fr. Paddy Martin spearheaded the inaugural AA Cebu meeting. He had to go to Manila to attend AA meetings at the start of his own recovery, but thought that it was a better idea to start an AA group here in Cebu.
Alcoholics Anonymous started in Akron, Ohio USA on June 10, 1935. Two men started it, a stock broker and a doctor. They believed that by talking and sharing their common problem among themselves, alcoholics could help one another to stay sober. A simple idea, but an idea that worked - and continues to work today.
At any given time there are more than 114,000 groups in approximately 170 countries hold regular meetings for people who want to do something with their drinking problem. Worldwide memberships are in the range of 2.2 million, with about equal numbers of men and women.
Alcoholism. Formerly called alcohol dependence or alcohol addiction - it is the more severe end of the alcohol use disorder spectrum. It is a destructive pattern of alcohol use that includes tolerance to or withdrawal from the substance, using more alcohol or using it for longer than planned, and results in trouble reducing its use or inability to use it in moderation. Other potential symptoms include spending an excessive amount of time getting, using, or recovering from the use of alcohol, compromised functioning, and continuing to use alcohol despite an awareness of its detrimental effects on one's life.
Since 1956, alcoholism has been considered by The American Medical Association (AMA) to be a disease. "Anybody" can become an alcoholic, regardless of sex, social status or education. It's considered to be caused partly "in your genes" and partly by social and psychological influences.
It is appropriately considered a disease rather than a weakness of character or chosen pattern of bad behavior. It is the third most common mental illness, affecting more than 14 million people in the United States alone. Other facts and statistics about alcohol dependence include its pattern of afflicting about 4 percent of women and 10 percent of men. It costs more than $165 billion per year in USA, in terms of lower productivity, early death, and costs of treatment.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). It is an international fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem. It is non-professional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about his or her drinking problem, and attendance at meetings is free. "There are no dues or fees for AA membership, we are self-supporting through our own contributions."
How can Alcoholics Anonymous help? Here in Cebu, AA has "open meetings" in Cebuano on Fridays and in English on Saturdays, for anyone who wants to know more about the organization. Those who "think" they need help on their drinking problem - or have someone in their family with a drinking problem are welcome to attend the open meetings.
Professionals like nurses and doctors who deal with alcoholic patients every day are encouraged to attend and find out how they can help patients to recover. AA has a special program to share with the medical profession.
The meetings on Mondays and Thursdays are "closed meetings," among people who admit they have a drinking problem and want to do something about it. The meetings are totally confidential among themselves. One of AA's most important principles is anonymity.
To find out more about AA-Cebu and their meetings, one only needs to show up before the meetings starts - no need to make prior arrangements. (Meetings are from 7:30 - 8.30 p.m.) Or, interested parties may call (landline) 406-4456 and (mobile) 0917-328-6177, anytime of the day or night. The website is at http://aaphilippines-cebu.info.