Alcoholism is not a new phenomenon in modern society, but an alcoholic can live a totally alcohol-free life with proper treatment and support. In Bengaluru, the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers will soon be supporting people battling alcoholism who desire to stop drinking and begin recovery programs. They will be deployed to scout and carry the message to those grappling with alcoholism.
Currently, Bengaluru has 120 alcoholism support groups affiliated with the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) program—a non-profit fellowship and program for people who want to stop drinking and start living. It emphasizes complete abstinence from alcohol and personal and spiritual growth. AA groups hold recovery meetings daily across the city, helping each other live an alcohol-free life, according to reports.
‘Early onset alcoholism’ among the younger age group has also become common in the city. Earlier, patients were mostly aged 30 or above, and addiction was often the result of personal crises. Now, people are exposed to alcohol at a much younger age, and it is also easily accessible, according to a de-addiction therapist and assistant professor at NIMHANS, the report added.
