Alcoholics Anonymous meet celebrates success of one of its oldest members in India

Nearly 1,000 'sober alcoholics' as the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) members are called, held a first ever felicitation function for John K, a Bangalore-based member who completed 50 years of sobriety.

The India chapter of the AA is 53-years-old and John K is one of its oldest members.

The function held at the Asha Ankur Hall, behind Holy Family church in Andheri (E) on Monday night, reiterated the AA's message that drinking is not a disgrace, but a disease.u00a0

John K (72) grew up in a middle-class Roman Catholic family in Mangalore.

Hic, Hic Hurray! John K speaks about his struggle.

"When I was a child, liquor was routinely served at home. At six, I would taste the drops that remained in the glasses.

I would use coconut shells to scoop liquor from jars at home.

By the time I turned 12, I became a full-fledged alcoholic. I would even lick the caps of the liquor bottles."

High flight

Added John, "I would often hallucinate that I was flying while I sat in a chair, dozing because of the alcohol. Then, came the crash landing when I woke up.

"Once, I remember we were swimming in a tank in my village. I was so drunk I sank to the floor. Luckily, our leader realised one person was missing and dived down to pick me up."

After several unsuccessful attempts to go sober, on September 20, 1959, John, who was then 22, went to an AA meet in Mangalore. Fifty years from that day, John has not touched alcohol.

At the age of 27, in 1965, he married. The former English literature professor at St Joseph's College in Bengaluru is a father of three boys and two girls.

Now retired, John K says, "I was initially reluctant to speak, but I thank the friend who abused me for three weeks and reasoned that AA helped me, so I would have to help others in turn."

1 year
The duration for which an alcoholic has to be off hard u00a0drinks before he can be considered to be reborn

They kicked the bottle

Francis of Goa started with beer so he could feel bold enough to ask a girl for a dance. When his first girlfriend left him he began drinking like crazy.