Overcoming alcohol abuse
Reeta Sharma

A Lieutenant Colonel was discharged from service. The badges of rank on his shoulders were removed because he was an alcoholic and a drug addict. Without a job and social status, he lost all desire to live. At this juncture, he saw a ray of hope when he learnt about Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

"I was a wreck and so were my parents, who had never smiled for years. I lost the honour of being a proud Army officer. But AA pumped fresh life into me. Today, like a miracle, the scene has changed. I am earning both my bread and honour. Smile and happiness have returned to my parents and I have a family. It is almost like a fairy tale, which only the AA could have written."

Till 1990, there was only one AA group in Chandigarh and that too was not popular. But in the past one decade, more than half a dozen AA groups have been active in Chandigarh. In Punjab, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Nangal, Sangrur, Mehatpur, Dasuya, Patiala, Bathinda, Ferozepore, Nawanshahar, Hoshiarpur and Batala have a large number of AA groups.

If on the one hand, awareness about AA has spread, on the other hand the number of alcoholics and drug addicts is rapidly increasing. Just two decades ago, drinking alcohol was a social taboo, especially in public. But distorted definitions of freedom, equality and modernisation have encouraged the younger generation to consume alcohol without bothering about its consequences. As if this was not enough, the successive governments have been adding fuel to the fire. Our bureaucracy has failed to evolve new avenues of generating revenue. Thus, they keep treading on the oft-beaten track of promoting liquor sale. Every year, more and more liquor shops are being opened to increase the revenue. So, to promote liquor, the authorities concerned have to glorify it, and this results in misleading ignorant, innocent and vulnerable young minds.

While last year Punjab opened 5,000 liquor shops, this year the figure has increased to 5,250. The quota of country liquor in the current year in Punjab is 460 lakh proof litres, showing an increase of 20 lakh proof litres since last year. The Punjab Government fetched a revenue of Rs 1,440 crore last year and Rs 1,470 crore this year from liquor.

In Chandigarh 78 ‘open’ liquor shops were opened in the current year in addition to the regular ones, which is the highest number recorded so far in a city of the size of Chandigarh in the country. Similarly, the stress on the ‘night life’ of Chandigarh pushed the Administration to open a number of pubs and beer bars. Although Lt. Gen. J F R Jacob (Retd.) takes pride in opening ‘night pubs’ and beer bars, but I view it as the only decision by him for which the coming generations of the city will not be thankful. He has done incredible work and would be remembered for long with gratitude.

Coming back to the AA and its awe-inspiring role, the basic question remains: who is an alcoholic? None can certify that so and so is an alcoholic. This question has to be answered by the liquor consumer himself or herself. Unfortunately, every alcoholic keeps on denying the truth. Those who finally acknowledge the truth and turn to the AA often rediscover their lost self, prestige, self-respect and families’ love and affection.

Alcoholics Anonymous was formed in Ohio (USA) in June, 1935, by two alcoholics. Today, there are millions of AA groups all over the world and more than 1 million in India alone. This organisation has been growing by leaps and bounds. Two reasons can be ascribed for this: one, a large number of alcoholics have returned to normal life; two, millions of broken homes and shattered families have been reunited, thanks to the AA. Today, the AA even has inter-groups to regularise the groups. Besides, there is the General Service Office (GSO). The AA does not accept any financial help from anyone, not even from the families of alcoholics who recover. This organisation has earned a respectable place for itself and no wonder even WHO refers alcoholics to the AA.

Are you a heavy drinker? 1. Do you lose time from work due to drinking? Yes/ No 2. Is drinking making your home life unhappy? Yes/ No 3. Do you drink because you are shy with other people? Yes/ No 4. Is drinking affecting your reputation? Yes/ No 5. Have you ever felt remorse after drinking? Yes/ No 6. Have you ever got into financial difficulties as a result of drinking? Yes/ No 7. Do you turn to companions of a lower strata and an inferior environment when drinking? Yes/ No 8. Does drinking make you careless about your family’s welfare? Yes/ No 9. Has your ambition decreased since drinking? Yes/ No 10. Do you crave for a drink at a definite time daily? Yes/ No 11. Do you want a drink the next morning? Yes/ No 12. Does drinking disturb your sleep? Yes/ No 13. Has your efficiency decreased since you have begin to drink? Yes/ No 14. Is drinking increasing your worries or troubles? Yes/ No 15. Is your drinking jeopardising your job or business? Yes/ No 16. Do you drink alone? Yes/ No 17. Have you ever had a complete loss of memory, as a result of drinking? Yes/ No 18. Has a physician ever treated you for drinking? Yes/ No 19. Do you drink to build up your self-control? Yes/ No 20. Have you ever been in hospital or an institution on account of drinking? Yes/ No Note: If you have answered ’Yes’ to any one of the questions, there is a definite warning that you may be an alcoholic. If you have answered ‘Yes’ to any two, the chances are that you are an alcoholic. If you have answered ‘Yes’ to any three or more questions, you are definitely an alcoholic.