Support needed to stay sober
IN THE past 35 years Patrick has helped thousands of men and women.
They came from all walks of life – some rich, some poor, some young and some old.
But they all share an addiction to alcohol.
“I teach them how to do the Alcoholics Anonymous program,” Patrick said.
“There are four blokes work with at moment.
“One is week sober while another has been sober for about a year.
“There are people that
I
I got to AA 30 years ago who still use me.
“One bloke drives me home from a meeting every day and we talk in his car.
“He has done so for years.”
Along with fellow members he runs three AA meetings, every day of the week.
They are safe places where alcoholics share stories about the horrible places their addiction takes them and how to overcome the triggers that drive them to drink.
Patrick has been off the bottle for more than three decades, but the effects of his hard-drinking past remain. 25
His nerves are shot.
“It almost killed me when I had a heart attack after a few years sober,” Patrick said. “I was 35-years-old Patrick decided to quit after a nine-month binge.
He was due to deliver a proof for a major project to a client at his printing business when he was hit by a paralysing wave of anxiety.
“I called my GP the next day and he had a sevenounce glass of beer waiting for me,” Patrick said.
The bottle got in the way of dealing with Patrick’s anxiety and depression and after a few stalled attempts to quit he ended up at an AA meeting.
Over the years Patrick has formed close bonds with his fellow alcoholics.
In October hundreds of them will be in Toowoomba for the Australian National Alcoholic Anonymous Convention
“It is used to promote the fellowship” he said.
“But primarily is a chance for members to get together once a year, from all over Australia.”
The convention will feature presentations on a range of addiction-related subjects.
Attendees will mingle at a dinner dance hosted by Jondaryan Woolshed.
“We basically talk a lot and drink a lot of coffee” Patrick said.
The convention will raise funds to support AA projects.
“I work at my addiction and use the AA program daily,” Patrick said.
“I made a decision to taking AA seriously and I have not felt like a drink since.
“But I know what happens if I stop doing the program.” The 55th Australian National of Alcoholics Anonymous Convention run from October 2-5. For more detail visit aanatcon2020.com.au.