A.A. and Alcoholism
Health Professional Contact Email: health.devonc@aamail.org
Alcoholics Anonymous is concerned solely with the personal recovery and continued sobriety of individual alcoholics who turn to the Fellowship for help.
The Fellowship has adopted a policy of “cooperation but not affiliation” with other organizations concerned with the problem of alcoholism. A.A. does not engage in the fields of alcoholism research, medical or psychiatric treatment, education, or advocacy in any form, although members may participate in such activities as individuals. A.A. does not accept or seek financial support from outside sources.
In all public relationships, A.A.’s sole objective is to help the still suffering alcoholic. A.A. experience has always been made available freely to all who sought it – business people, spiritual leaders, civic groups, law enforcement officers, health and welfare personnel, educators, institutional authorities and many others. But A.A. never endorses, supports, becomes affiliated with, or expresses an opinion on the programs of others in the field of alcoholism, since such actions would be beyond the scope of the Fellowship’s primary purpose.
Always mindful of the importance of preserving personal anonymity in print and broadcast media and otherwise at the public level, we believe we can help the still suffering alcoholic by making known to that individual, and to those who may be interested in his or her problem, our own experience as individuals and as a fellowship in learning to live without alcohol.
Our Aim
Our aim is to inform you about Alcoholics Anonymous and how the 12 Step programme can help problem drinkers recover from alcoholism. AA in Great Britain has more than 75 years of experience involving tens of thousands of alcoholics.
AA Members do not give medical advice
No A.A. member should “play doctor”; all medical advice and treatment should come from a qualified physician
Here’s a link to a PDF leaflet ‘The AA Member- Medications and other Drugs
The AA Member- Medications and other Drugs leaflet
How does Medical Science Rate AA?
How can we help the professionals?
AA has a number of service functions that you can tap into at no financial cost, which have been created to work with professional organisations. Have a look at our Videos for Professionals .
Health
AA works with GP’s. Hospitals and treatment centre staff. We offer a variety of services, from talks with medical staff to individual contact for patients with a drinking problem. Our Chit System enables patients to demonstrate to Health Professionals their attendance at our meetings as part of an agreed recovery programme.
What does AA cost?
AA is FREE. It costs you and the taxpayer nothing. Each AA group is a self-supporting entity and AA’s only income is derived by members making voluntary contributions and by small profits made from the sale of AA publications.
AA In Devon
Due to the geographical area of Devon the county has been divided into three areas, Devon Central, Devon South and Plymouth. Each area has its own Health Liaison Officer. Talks can be arranged and literature is available to the Health Profession. If you would like more information, please contact:
Devon Health Liaison
Email our Health Liaison Officer using the site contact form or call the Devon Help line – 01752 791111
Currently Devon Central area has meetings throughout the county. Please see meetings page list for times and venues). Following the relaxation of covid19 restrictions, most groups have restarted traditional meetings.
Most meetings are held in the evenings, but there are many daytime meetings available. The meetings are in the same format around the area and all those present share the same desire as the newcomer to stay sober. The newcomer will be warmly welcomed and need only sit and listen to get identification about their drinking; the rooms are informal and meetings last approximately 90 minutes, many have a short break half way through.
Many groups have monthly ‘Open’ meetings. This is where friends, family, professionals and interested parties can attend one of our meetings. They may wish to accompany a suffering alcoholic, or to get a better understanding of our recovery program. Otherwise, meetings are ‘Closed’ for alcoholics or those who think they have a drink problem.
If you as a professional would like to attend an ‘Open’ meeting in your area please use the contact details at the top right of the page or above in the text.
Alcoholics Anonymous operates a 24hr Helpline, manned by recovering alcoholics. Details of meetings and further information can be obtained.
Many of you will regularly see the consequences of alcoholism and alcohol abuse in your work. If you work in the Health Service you will probably see familiar faces returning time after time-seemingly hopeless cases. Many current sober members of AA were thought to be just as hopeless at one time. Today, however, many are sober, responsible members of society through attending AA meetings and practising our 12 step programme of recovery and, helping others to recover from alcoholism.