According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, one in every 12 adults is affected by alcoholism. Alcoholism is diagnosed by risky drunk behaviors, alcohol dependence and binge drinking patterns. It is a disease that infrequently manifests itself in the outside physical appearance of a victim, yet frequently leaves its toll on the inside. It affects mothers, fathers, children, businessmen, doctors, lawyers, teachers and everyone in-between. It is also the reason why a group of thirteen anonymous strangers gathered on a rainy Thursday night to share their stories, in an attempt to fight this invisible disease.
Alcoholics Anonymous is a group that most people have heard about, yet do not know about. We all have preconceived notions of what these meetings are like, and for whom they are for. However, most of us have never actually seen one. With a close friend recently attending a meeting back home, I wanted to get a little glimpse of what it truly means to attend an AA meeting.
“Hi my name is Katherine and I have a problem with drinking,” she said, red-cheeked and looking at the floor. “Never did I think I would be saying those words.” Katherine is currently a substitute teacher in DC public schools and a relatively new member to the group. This is her second meeting, but an important personal step to achieving a goal of sobriety for her students.
As an acceptance meeting, all members of the group were required to participate that day. All thirteen strangers stood up, said their names, stated their problems and then sat down. Some looked less fazed then others, others struggled to even mumble their names — yet, there was a sense of unity and acceptance that emanated from the circle.
“The hardest part is admitting you have a problem,” said Gerald. He is a member of the group that struggled with the initial introduction, but as time progressed, a sense of enlightenment seemed to dawn on him. Gerald began to participate more and more. By the end of the meeting, he was willing to answer some of my questions and talk about the reasons why he decided to come that day.
“I am doing it so my babies don’t come down the same path as me,” Gerald responded. “I took after my dad’s side, the drinking side.” Alcoholism is frequently associated with genetics. It is a disease that slithers down the family tree and picks off people in its path. Gerald was one of many who had family members drink while growing up.
“The first time I had a beer was with my father at the age of eight,” said Jerry. Jerry is now a father, and worries for the health of his own children. This is his third attempt at sobriety, and his first meeting with a new group. “When you take a sip of beer or wine or whatever after being clean for x amount of weeks, you feel the disappointment of not only your family, but also your group.” The pressures of relapse frequently steal away the accomplishments of members. It makes them feel alienated from the people who are trying to help them.
While watching the meeting, I continuously heard that the role of AA is not to judge. And this was shown through Jerry and his decisions. Regardless of his relapses, there were people willing to be there for support.
Story after story was told on this rainy Thursday night. There were tears, there were laughs and there was trust. Alcoholism lingers in the darkness, however there are groups out there seeking to bring this invisible disease to the light.
Anderson de Andrade is a sophomore in the College. The Side Effect appears every other Wednesday on thehoya.com.
