Six decades of support: Alcoholics Anonymous marks anniversary in Bengaluru with inspiring recovery stories

Bengaluru: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), a global fellowship dedicated to supporting individuals recovering from alcoholism, celebrated its 60th anniversary in Bengaluru on Sunday, with over 1,000 members and supporters in attendance.

The event showcased six decades of AA’s work in helping people overcome alcoholism, featuring powerful personal stories of recovery.

Arun Chakravarthy, Additional Director General of Police and Chairman of the AA General Service Board, spoke about alcoholism as a disease that affects every aspect of life.

He stressed on the importance of AA’s free recovery solution and mentioned ongoing discussions with the government to increase awareness and expand AA’s outreach across Karnataka.

The anniversary programme featured a digital video showcasing the fellowship’s 60-year journey, along with speeches by long-time members. Attendees shared their personal recovery stories and expressed hope for reaching more individuals struggling with alcoholism.

Suresh, one of the speakers, shared his story of redemption through AA’s support.

"My wife and family had left me, and I lost everything, ending up on the streets. A person I knew invited me to a recovery meeting. It’s been 17 years since I’ve touched a single drop of alcohol," he said.

Another member, Nitin, spoke about finding hope during a time of deep despair. "I felt completely hopeless when my family abandoned me. But after attending a recovery meeting, I found immense strength and hope. I no longer experience shaking hands or withdrawals; it's been 10 years of meaningful sobriety," he shared.

Founded in Bengaluru in 1964, AA provides daily, free recovery meetings across the city, offering a supportive space for people seeking to stop drinking. The fellowship is non-political, self-supporting, and guided by principles of anonymity and inclusivity.

For support, individuals can contact AA through its helpline at 9845587507. Additional resources, including meeting schedules, are available on the website aabengaluru.org or the AA Bengaluru mobile app.