ALCOHOL Awareness Week runs from November 16 to 22 and one man living with alcoholism in Herefordshire bravely tells his story to the Hereford Times to bring home the dangers of drinking and how Alcoholics Anonymous saved him.

My name is John, I'm from Herefordshire and I'm an alcoholic.

By attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) I've been able to stop drinking, a day at a time. If I chose to drink again I'd revert to a life of misery, problems, fear and self-loathing.

I first acknowledged my alcoholism at the age of 33 (I'm now 68), and started going to AA meetings twice a week. I remained dry for 7 years – I use the word "dry" as opposed to "sober" because, with hindsight, I think I was harbouring an idea that one day I would be able to drink again.

It was probably that idea that caused me to drift away from AA at that time. It was not long before I drank again, and I was soon as miserable, beaten and lost as I ever was.

Swallowing what little pride I had left, I returned to AA. This time I was able to be more honest with myself, and was willing to ask for advice and help, and be open-minded enough to realise I'd always be an alcoholic who couldn't drink successfully.

I could not be sure what would happen when I drank, and accepted that the only solution for me was in AA.

Some years ago, on moving to Herefordshire from the Midlands, I made the mistake of not bothering to find local AA meetings. I deluded myself that I was 'OK', and for a while I didn't drink.

However, when a family crisis struck I sought the illusion of refuge in drinking again, and was soon back on the treadmill of active alcoholism. The mental obsession and physical allergy of alcohol could only be arrested by complete and unreserved surrender in the shelter of AA.

There is no such thing as a 'typical' alcoholic. There are various definitions such as 'When alcohol is costing you more than money'.

Charts and graphs of consumption and frequency have no place in AA. We just try and 'keep it simple' by choosing not to drink, a day at a time. So we try to stay 'in the now', and deal with this day only, and find the rewards of a sober life are immense and immeasurable.

Most AA meetings last an hour, and members speak in turn and share their experience, strength and hope for a few minutes each.

There is no obligation to speak, and no rules or regulations other than the only requirement for membership being the desire to stop drinking.

There is a suggested 12-step programme of recovery, but it is not obligatory, and we say: "It works if you work it." Thankfully it's working for me today.

AA meetings can be found on the AA website, or by phoning our local number 01792 301907.

If you are going to carry a lead article there is some information on AAW on alcoholconcern.org.uk. I should make it clear that AA has "no opinion on outside issues, neither endorses nor opposes any causes" - we are not a temperance outfit, and one of our slogans is "Live and let live."

We have a logo on the website ( being a triangle within a circle, 'AA' appearing inside the triangle and the words "Unity, recovery service" on the outer edges). If you want to use it it may be prudent to ring York HQ to check any copyright issues.

Lastly, there is some data relating to alcohol consumption in Herefordshire on factsandfigures.herefordshire.gov.uk.

n Alcohol Awareness Week runs from November 16-22 and one man living with alcoholism in Herefordshire bravely tells his story to the Hereford Times to bring home the dangers of drinking and how Alcoholics Anonymous saved him.