Alcoholics Anonymous members’ mean age 30

The average age of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) UT inter-group fellowship members is now 30 years. Five years ago it was 45. The key reasons for this trend,as identified by old members,are increase in awareness about the ill-effects of alcoholism among people of all age groups and higher financial aspirations among the middle class these days.

“Earlier people used to take long to believe that alcoholism is not a mere addiction but a disease. The realisation of the difficulty involved in abstaining from alcohol intake had been coming to people after reaching their late 40’s. However,now this realisation comes quite early among people,especially from the middle class,” said an experienced member of the group on condition of anonymity.

The group is a fellowship of alcoholics (both male and female) who share experiences and strengths. They hope to resolve their common problems and help others in recovering from alcoholism.

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“Having identified their problems,alcoholics generally perceive them to be incomprehensible for any normal person around them. By remaining in company of others like them,who have a desire to abstain from alcohol,they feel secure and motivated,” added senior AA members.

The group operates in a manner that members are allowed to join or leave as and when they wish to. The only pre-requisite for membership is a desire to abstain from alcohol,said key members.