×

A.A. welcomes those in need in ND

A.A.’s beginning is a story of a sober failing alcoholic stock broker and an alcoholic Proctologist. The meeting was out of necessity for the stock broker who being sober at the time desperately needed to talk to an alcoholic to stay sober and the one who happened to be trying to get sober was the proctologist. A.A. recognizes June 10th as the birth of that successful meeting and refers to it lovingly as “Founders Day.” You might find any number of gatherings around the U.S./ Canada as well as the world, celebrating on that day, the great gift that was given to those that suffer from that seemingly hopeless condition of mind, body, and spirit.

Here in Minot a small group of 60 A.A. members and friends gathered to celebrate “Founders Day. With a home cooked pot luck meal, a skit called “Meet The Founders” along with sharing of personal stories of how four current members found sobriety in A.A. in their beginings. Those that shared, had their names drawn from a hat. In addition, a member of the clergy from Minot, who is friend of A.A. shared a little about how members who were successful in recovery had developed a spiritual change. The event was caped of with cake and coffee.

The inclusion of a non A.A. member addressing or supporting our fellowship goes back to the beginnings of the movement. We have had great loving involvement from our non A.A. friends who have given of time and talent serving the fellowship. We have several (7) Trustees that are non-alcoholic that are the face of our anonymous organization. Our alcoholic trustees (14) and nonalcoholic trustees (7) work side by side guiding the Organizations million plus members in the U.S. and Canada. In our state of North Dakota (Area) we have some 3,500 members in nine geographical districts that have over 150 groups. We talk about our groups as being the heartbeat of A.A. and recovery.

For myself, I was introduced to A.A. through the help of an outpatient treatment program. I was to learn later, when I could listen, that A.A. has no opinion on outside issues. This meant that A.A. had no opinion on treatment either inpatient being hospitalized or outpatient, where you spend parts of days or evenings or if you just walk in the door. A.A. does not believe it is the only answer nor does anyone including myself speak for A.A. We of A.A. just share our experience strength and hope with others nor do we provide motivation to change. What I found in A.A., with the work that I have done, has allowed me to stay sober for over (28) years. One thing that has been told during my time in A.A. is that It is the first drink that gets me drunk. I did not understand the allergy of the body at first. But if I don’t take the first drink I don’t get drunk. So, the discussion may go on as to how do I stay away from that first drink. When I referred to the illness as being of the mind, body, and spirit it again reminds me of my beginnings. Each one of the three legs of the milk stool stood for something different. One leg stood for my health, another stood for my mental condition and the third stood for my spiritual condition. Alcohol affected each part of me and it was hard for me to keep a balance in my life unless I found a solution so that all legs were equal. I found that solution in the program of action laid out in the 12 Steps one day at a time.

We have groups in Kenmare, Stanley, Bottineau, Garrison, and Minot that hold regular meetings. In Minot, the message of recovery was brought back from Minneapolis in 1947. A traveling business man was carrying the message to a group of 4 or 5 citizens that were looking for a way out. Others were meeting in Kenmare, Fargo, and Bismarck. In Minot, we have roughly (30) meetings per week in the three groups. Most but not all are closed meetings for those who are alcoholic and some open meeting for those who would like to join us for an hour and see how we work. At some of the open meetings we may be joined with family and friends and at others we may have students from local colleges who are interested in or directing their carrier in addiction services or as health professionals.

You can visit www.aanorthdakota.org for help in finding a local meeting in North Dakota or you could request info from a contact on the web site. Requests are referred confidentially to local members or groups that may provide the information you are requesting. You can also browse www. aa.org to find out about how we cooperate with professionals in the community, or watch informational videos. If you would like to talk to someone in A.A. locally you can call our District 2 Hotline at 1-888-680-0651. A open public information meeting is being held at the Minot Public Library Thursday June 22 at 7 p.m.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today