The White Falcon - 22.11.1985, Blaðsíða 8

A.A. meetings...their function
(This is part III of a three part series in rela-
tion to Alcoholics Anonymous)
Alcoholics Anonymous...a self help group of
individuals with one goal in mind...helping them-
self and others with the same problem, alcohol.
But how does someone help another with the same
problem? Well lets take a look...
There are protective measures taken to reduce
tne trauma of recovering, both in the alcoholic
and family member. It comes in the form of anon-
ymity. To publicly make known an illness is be-
ing treated is not the goal of A.A., Al-Anon or
Alateen. It's for this reason group members use
only their first names, or fictitious names, and
work within their group to provide assistance.
"One of the things we stress is the need to
realize strength as a group and tnat sobriety can-
not be accomplished alone," said Mary, who is also
a recovering alcoholic.
"For that reason we try to make sure each mem-
ber has a sponsor in the group. The sponsor is
also an alcoholic and can relate to what'shappen-
ing. "
"We let our members know they are definitely
not alone in their struggle to gain sobriety.
Group sessions provide a sounding board for what-
ever a person needs to voice, while the sponsor is
there for a very necessary one-on-one interaction,1
Mary said.
"There is talk in the medical world that alco-
holism could be a problem of heredity, but to an
alcoholic that doesn't really help, we must still
deal with what is happening to our bodies, our
lives, and the lives of others we have influenc-
ed," Mary says.
"We realize that once an alcoholic, always an
alcoholic." The difference is in how we live our
lives," sne said. "The anonymity we share through
A.A. helps us live better, but that's still no
guarantee we will be successful. Many an alcohol-
ic has remained sober for years, then without any
notice to anyone, returned to the old pattern of
drinking.
"A.A. groups know this happens and we hate it
wnen it occurs. But the truth is only the alco-
holic can control what is done. He must take
charge, of his/her own life and always remember
where he/she came from so he/she won't make a re-
turn trip to the bottle," Mary concludes.
The design of the new checks to be used by the U.S. government be-
ginning in December 1985 features a full-length engraving of the Statue
of Liberty on the left side and a faint close-up of the Statue of Lib-
erty 's face near the center. The colors of the check are a multi-col-
ored background- ranging from light blue to pale peach. These checks
are more difficult to forge and therefore easier to cash.
Winter safety tip...
The drastic, extreme and sudden weather con-
ditions experienced over the past weekend,
makes it imperative that base motor vehicle oper-
ators pay close attention to winter driving haz-
ards and traffic conditions.
Navy Broadcasting Service AM 1485 radio and TV
(channels 4 and 5), will provide continuous in-
formation on traffic conditions for operators of
motor vehicles on the Naval Air Station. NBS
will specify the type of vehicles (essential ver-
sus Non-essential) permitted on roads during the
different traffic conditions. However, there is
no substitute for common sense. You should be
anticipating the condition if your observations
indicate the weather is likely to get worse soon.
Always adhere to the reduced speed limit. The
intent of warnings is to clear all station roads
to permit heavy snow equipment to operate with-
out obstructions.
Station radio and TV are the best means of
getting information. Tune them in as soon as you
wake each morning.
8
Novemebr 22, 1985 The White Falcon