Young increasingly seek help from Alcoholics Anonymous

SPAIN (Agencies) The Spanish chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous has detected an increase in the number of young people who come to the organization for help. What AA is not aware of, however, is that the economic crisis is having any effect on the number of cases of alcholism as it does not carry out surveys or follow-ups, as a matter of its principle of anonymity. So, at any rate, said Primitivo Cachero, President of the Board of Alcholocs Anonymous in Spain, at the start of the organization's 32nd General Service Convention held tis year in Oviedo, Asturias last month. The convention, which is presented under the banner of AA's 75th anniversary, brought together over fifty representatives of the 24 areas that make up the fellowship in this country and has its national headquarters in Avilés.>
There are some 10,000 members of Alcoholics Anonymous in Spain, and over 550 individual groups holding regular meetings - usually the place that is first contacted by those who think they may have a problem with drink. There are also numerous groups that belong to the organization holding regular meetings in a variety of languages, including English, German and Swedish, among others. World membership is about 2.5 million members, recovering in 150,000 groups in 180 countries.

"It is very difficult for an alcoholic to recognize him- or herself as such," said Cachero, which is why there is a lot of movement in and out of the groups. "Some come in and stay for two or five months, and then go out and have a relapse - but then come back again after three years, for instance."

When it comes to the young, the problem is that drinking alcohol is socially acceptable. "Not everyone has a problem with drink, even though they drink the same quantity as those that do," adds Cachero. The real problem is in the effect it has in each individual, and the consequences both physical and mental. "Physical problems in the young are very difficult to detect, but not so those related to behaviour."

The president of AA avoided giving an opinion on the pros and cons of raising the drinking age to 18 because the organization "has no opinion on outside issues" although he did admit there "is a problem" with youth in regard to alcohol abuse.

"In AA we only say that alcoholism is a disease, that not everyone who drinks becomes an alcoholic, and we offer ourselves to help anyone who needs it," says Cachero, adding, "social drinking can end up in alcoholism." He says that AA can help anyone find out how serious a problem it may be.

The only requirement for membership is the desire to stop drinking. There are no fees or dues for membership, and members "enjoy complete freedom."

Finally, Cachero pointed out that 30% of traffic accidents in Spain have a component that includes alcohol.

ENGLISH-SPEAKING HELPLINES

AA Europe website: http://www.aa-europe.net

COSTA DEL SOL:  600 379 110 

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(If you or anyone you know has a problem with alcohol we urge you to contact any of the above numbers - or you can contact us and we will treat your enquiry in the strictest confidence.)