There are not many leisure time activities that directly involve the consumption of alcohol. What makes alcohol a regular part of our activities is the fact that we choose to include it. We choose to make our hobbies very expensive by purchasing alcohol. We think that the hobby itself will not be fun or enjoyable without the alcohol.

Many people, for example, pack up the family for a weekend adventure in a local park. A stop at the beer store or a liquor agency has become one of the necessary steps in this ritual. A hockey game just would not be the same without the beer. Many hockey fans believe that beer and hockey go together and cannot and must not be separated.

When ones participation in a past time or hobby can not occur without alcohol or when one chooses not to go to an event because alcohol is not allowed, there is a serious problem. This is, however, the reality for many people.

There is more beer consumed in Newfoundland, per individual, than any where else in Canada; such a sobering thought if you would forgive the pun. One can not be proud of the fact that we are known across Canada (the best country in the world to live) for our drinking habits.

Very recently, Newfoundland played host to an AA conference which took place only a few miles down the road from SCI at the Lavrock Conference Centre. The conference was a successful fellowship of people who came together for one main purpose: to share their stories, their hopes and their dreams.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) originated in 1935 when Bill W., a New York stockbroker, and Dr. Bob S., a surgeon, met in Akron, Ohio and started to help each other stay sober. From that modest beginning, AA has grown to an estimated 87,000 groups in more than 130 countries. Total membership worldwide is over 2 million and growing each time there is a meeting.

All men and women who feel they have a drinking problem are welcome to attend AA meetings. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. Members are anonymous to the public which means that no one outside your group has to know you are a member. It is important to keep in mind that there are no dues or fees associated with this organization.

Staying sober does not cost very much. It is far cheaper than drinking all the time and missing out on many fun and interesting activities that you could otherwise in doing. Perhaps too, more people would like to be around the sober you than around the drunk you.