Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Grahamstown marked their 37th anniversary on Saturday with a celebration at St George’s Hall. Many recovering alcoholics came together to share experiences and celebrate their sobriety in honour of AA. Two members who have been a part of AA for a long time shared their stories with Grocott’s Mail.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Grahamstown marked their 37th anniversary on Saturday with a celebration at St George’s Hall. Many recovering alcoholics came together to share experiences and celebrate their sobriety in honour of AA. Two members who have been a part of AA for a long time shared their stories with Grocott’s Mail.
Eustace Burgess (84) is the oldest member of AA Grahamstown and has been a member since its foundation in 1972. Burgess says that although he was a heavy drinker, he didn’t know he was an alcoholic until a friend took him to an AA meeting at St Clements Church Hall. “It was packed and people shared their stories, and many of them were going through the same thing I was”. After the first meeting, it was still difficult to stay sober. “There was a time when I slid back but I got back on track, with AA’s help.” His family supported his journey to recovery. “My wife stood by me, and I have not had a drink for 37 years now. I have seen what alcohol can do to people but I know that there is a way out.”
Alfred Appolis has been a recovering alcoholic for 35 years. He says that as a young man he was a “glamour boy” who very popular with the ladies. He spent his days as a photographer at weddings and parties, socialising, having fun and doing what he loved. Though he was following his passion, alcohol became a social lubricant, and he started drinking at every social function. “I started as a gentleman but over the years my drinking got so bad that every wedding, every party made me sicker and sicker.” He recalls. By the time he was 26, he was a serious alcoholic.
“My last days of drinking were terrible,” says Appolis. He became sick and unpleasant to be around. “My family never had any peace. They were the ones I hurt the most. When I was drunk I used to swear and fight with people.” Frequenting three pubs every night became the norm. “The shebeens would never say no to me because I had the money,” he commmented.
Appolis describes the stages of his alcoholism with a symbolic insight. “At first I was a monkey because I constantly made a fool of myself because of drinking. Then I became a lion. I was always aggressive, fighting with everyone. At the end I turned into a pig, scrounging around, the lowest of the low.”
Things had hit rock bottom and a relative took him to an AA meeting. The following five weeks was a nightmare as the cravings became increasingly extreme. Whenever he was tempted, he called his sponsor from AA – sometimes even in the middle of the night – and they would have coffee and chat until the craving passed. Commitment from his counsellor, as well as personal dedication, is key. “Though it was hard and I had to pray every day, since that first night at AA, I haven’t had a sip of alcohol.”
Changes came slowly but eventually life became normal. “I made a success of my life because I sobered up. By the grace of God, I gained everything that I lost from alcohol, materially, spiritually and mentally. It took a long time but now everything is as it should be. I am a happy person. AA has given me a new life. I no longer swear at people or break things. Everything is more peaceful. I had the opportunity to make amends with the people I have hurt and I am just thankful they have accepted my apology and they are proud of me. I am able to be the father and husband I never was when I drank.”
Appolis speaks openly about alcoholism, despite the accompanying stigma. “To talk about it is to squash that stigma. Everyone who knows me knows my struggles and knows that I am sober now”. He acknowledges the difficulties alcoholics face when trying to get sober, but he says, “Anyone who reaches out, the hand of AA will be there to help”. Today, Appolis has completed two Comrades Marathons and intends to compete in the next one. He is on the parents’ governing body committee of Mary Waters and engages in various charity organisations. Appolis was chosen as a “golden oldie” and is looking forward to taking part in a qualifying race to determine who will represent Makana against other municipalities in the country. “I have a clean bill of health and I feel that I will get chosen,” he says positively. Sober life has treated him well, “No one runs away anymore when I go somewhere. I have been accepted into society again.”
Alcoholics Anonymous holds meetings twice a week, and welcomes anyone and everyone suffering from problems relating to alcoholism.
