Since 2000

The first thing we have learned about alcoholism is that it is one of the oldest problems in Man's history. Only recently have we begun to benefit from new approaches to the problem. Doctors today, for example, know a great deal more about alcoholism than their predecessors did only two generations ago. They are beginning to define the problem and study it in detail.

While there is no formal "A.A. definition" of alcoholism, most of us agree that, for most of us, an alcoholic could be described as any person where alcohol is causing a problem in their life.  An alcoholic can be a person who NEEDS to drink only 2 or 3 drinks a day or a person with a physical compulsion, coupled with a mental obsession to drink. We mean that we had a distinct physical desire to consume alcohol beyond our capacity to control it, and in defiance of all rules of common sense. We not only had an abnormal craving for alcohol but we frequently yielded to it at the worst possible times. We did not know when (or how) to stop drinking. Often we did not seem to have sense enough to know when not to begin.

Alcoholism is a rough word to deal with. Yet nobody is too young (or too old) to have trouble with booze. That's because alcoholism is an illness. It can hit anyone. Young, old. Rich, poor. Black, white. And it doesn't matter how long you've been drinking or what you've been drinking. It's what drinking does to you that counts. To help you decide whether you might have a problem with your own drinking, we've prepared these 12 questions. The answers are nobody's business but your own. If you can answer yes to any one of these questions, maybe it's time you took a serious look at what your drinking might be doing to you. And, if you do need help or if you'd just like to talk to someone about your drinking, call us.

A Simple 12-Question Quiz designed To Help You Decide

Do you drink because you have problems? To face up to stressful situations?  Because you are bored?

Do you drink when you get mad at other people?

Do you often prefer to drink alone, rather than with others?

Are you starting to get low marks? Are you taking off work?

Do you ever try to stop or drink less - and fail?

Have you begun to drink in the morning, before school or work?

Do you gulp your drinks as if to satisfy a great thirst?

Do you ever have loss of memory due to your drinking?

Do you avoid being honest with others about your drinking?

Do you ever get into trouble when you are drinking?

Do you often get drunk when you drink, even when you do not mean to?

Do you think you're big to be able to hold your drink?

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.

Alcoholism