AA to celebrate its golden jubilee on May 6

Mumbai, May 3 (UNI) Noted Bollywood director Mahesh Bhatt will preside over the golden jubilee celebration function of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), India, here on May 6.

The function will be held at Birla Matoshri Sabhagruha here from 0930 hrs.

Established in 1957, AA is a voluntary worldwide fellowship of men and women from all walks of life, who meet together to attain and maintain sobriety.

Alcoholism is a progressive incurable illness as recognised by World Health Organisation (WHO), American Medical Association, the British Medical Council and Indian Psychiatric Society. It can be arrested one-day-at-a-time. The AA programme provides the wherewithal for permanent recovery from alcoholism.

Addressing the media here today, a member on condition of anonymity said, '' Alcoholism is a disease of disgrace and denial of which has three aspects: physical, mental and spiritual.'' It is a progressive disease where people drink upto a point where they either lose senses, money or alcohol. It is a mental obsession. The condition of the patient is such that ''I buy pain''. The disease makes them lie, lose jobs, they cheat and con people to procure alcohol. The disease makes them bankrupt and makes a ''hole in their soul''.

Psychiatrist Ashish Deshpande said, '' Alcoholism is a disease not a disgrace. We need to take this on a war footing. Our 12 step programme helps alcoholics befriend themselves. There is no known cure for alcoholism but the disease can be arrested with the help of AA.'' '' AA is a lifestyle anyone can inculcate. Its philosophy has been referred to and is used such that when a person shares his pain, the listener feels. If he can change, so can I. Our policy is attraction. We help, we do not preach. AA should be given a wider platform,'' he added.

UNI