AA membership in Wollongong and on the South Coast

Many people have problems with alcohol. But the first, important step to becoming sober is facing up to your issues with drinking.

Below are 13 questions about your drinking. If you answer yes to 4 or more of these questions, you may be an alcoholic. Many AA members experienced feelings of guilt, loneliness and hopelessness because of their drinking, but have gone on to live happy, sober and fulfilling lives by following the AA recovery program. Remember, it takes courage to face up to the fact you have a problem. If you feel that you would like to know more about the AA, we will be glad to talk to you.

1. Have you ever tried to stop drinking for a week or more but only lasted a couple of days?
2. Do you wish people would stop hassling you about your drinking?
3. Have you tried switching drinks in the hope you wouldn’t get drunk?
4. In the last year, have you drunk in the morning to steady your shaking?
5. Do you envy people who can drink without getting into trouble?
6. In the last year, have you had problems associated with your drinking?
7. Has your drinking caused trouble at home?
8. Do you ever try to get extra drinks, or drinks to take away, at a party because you can’t get enough or fear running out?
9. Do you tell yourself you can stop anytime you like even though you keep getting drunk when you don’t mean to?
10. Have you missed days off work because of drinking?
11. Do you have blackouts because of drinking?
12. Have you ever felt your life would be better if you didn’t drink?
13. Have you lost a job, driving licence or relationship because of drinking?

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a fellowship of people who share a common desire - the desire to recover from alcoholism. AA was started in 1935 by a New York stockbroker and an Ohio surgeon who had both been alcoholics. They founded AA to help others who suffered from the disease of alcoholism and to maintain their own sobriety.

AA grew with the formation of autonomous groups, first in the USA and then around the world, and started in Australia in 1945. It is estimated that there are more than 97,000 groups and 2,000,000 AA members in 150 countries.

At Alcoholics Anonymous in Wollongong, our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety. We welcome and respect members from all walks of life and we are not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organisation or institution. We do not wish to engage in any controversy, neither do we endorse or oppose any causes.

We charge no fees for belonging to AA and, as a voluntary organisation, we are self-supporting through our own contributions.