By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Following cine star Aamir Khan’s endorsement of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in his show Satyamev Jayate during the episode where he touched upon the issue of alcoholism, a ray of hope has been ignited among individuals afflicted by alcoholism.
It is reported that there were around 5500 calls from various corners of the country inquiring about the AA which is instrumental in helping and guiding individuals who are suffering from alcoholism.
This positive response came after renowned psychiatrist Dr Ashish Deshpande, explained that alcoholism is a dreadful disease and not a mere habit and that it can be tackled with the help of AA.
In Meghalaya, the Alcoholics Anonymous Foundation Group, which came into being in 1994, has also received several calls not only from alcoholics themselves but even from families whose beloved ones are affected by alcoholism.
“Ever since Aamir Khan touched upon the issue of alcoholism in his show Satyamev Jayate many are now realising that alcoholism is not only a habit but a dreadful disease,” AAFG founder member P.B. (identity withheld) told The Shillong Times here on Thursday.
While informing that in past people refused to accept that alcoholism is a disease, he said that it is encouraging to see this change of mindset in society towards the problem of alcoholism.
He said that AAFG received hundreds of calls from people not only from Shillong but from various places like Tura and Williamnagar and even from other states of the region.
“People are eager to know how we could help them come out from this dreadful disease,” he said.
Even though they are keen to help every individual who had made a call to them, he said that they are facing a problem since they do not the AA in various parts of the region except in Guwahati which they had recently set up.
“At the moment we are trying to help them by counselling them over telephone. But we will try to assist in setting up of the AA in various state capitals in the region in the coming months,” he said.
Even in Meghalaya, he said that the AA is present only in Shillong. He said they would be making an effort to set up the AA in Williamnagar and Tura.
When asked if people have to be members of the AA, he informed that in AA, there is no such requirement for membership except a desire to stop drinking.
“The organisation is bound by its own tradition of self-support and therefore we decline to accept any help. Though AA help is free, members contribute voluntarily towards expenses of the fellowship declining outside contributions,” he said.
He, however, said that the AA is concerned that younger and educated people and women in their twenties are affected by alcoholism.
“I think this is one issue which the society needs to collectively address. We have to save our young ones from this dreadful disease,” he said.
On the formation of the AA in Shillong, he said AA had its beginning in Shillong in 1994 and presently has two active Groups and has seen several recoveries.
“The AA meet on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Don Bosco Youth Centre at 5:30 pm,” he said.