Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), the world wide fellowship of sobriety seekers, has been bringing changes in the lives of Mokokchung citizens through its spiritually-inclined Twelve Step program.
In Mokokchung, the AA program started in the month of March in 2011 by the Mokokchung Town Baptist Church (MTBA). The peer-led mutual aid fellowship meetings are conducted as “Sunday fellowships” at 3 pm during winters and 4 pm during the summer days.
The AA fellowship also conducts house visits to “alcoholics” as well as “recovering addicts” to encourage them to continue the path of sobriety.
Alcoholics Anonymous is a globally recognized organization that helps individuals overcome their addiction to alcohol. The program, which was founded in 1935, has helped millions of people from all walks of life to achieve and maintain sobriety.
According to Moatoshi Jamir, Counselor, MTBA, the church also sponsors 2 detox camps annually, which run for a period of 1 week. The detox camp is open to anybody that is willing to take the path of sobriety.
The camp which was setup due to the rampant rise of alcoholism in the town is held in two phases annually. The first phase of the detox camp is held in the months of March or April while the second phase is conducted in the month of October.
The camp is supervised by doctors and nurses 24/7 during the period, the counselor said.
Since its inception as part of MTBA’s Home Mission program, the detox camp has seen more than 500 people wanting to rid themselves of the evils of addiction.
Jamir, who is also designated in charge of AA and the MTBA detox camps, said that the camps are designed to accompany about 20 people at a time citing that it is difficult to manage more than that at a time.
According to him, a collective of more than 500 people have undergone the detox camp since its inception from Mokokchung alone.
“We’ve seen good results of the detox camp with more than 50% who are active members among the recoveries.”
“Some have relapsed and some have passed away over the years” he said.
According to Jamir, the AA meetings vary in two categories, the first one being ‘open ended’ where others can attend the meeting including pastors or speakers etc, so that they can encourage the meet.
The other type of meeting is known as ‘close ended” where only the members of the AA community are allowed to attend.
“The talks during this kind of meeting do not leave the meeting, the members usually encourage each other to cope with their process of recovery,” Jamir said.
Like any other International fellowship, the Mokokchung AA is based on the 12 Steps Program.
AA follows certain traditions, which here in Mokokchung is based in the teachings of the Christian faith.
In the initial days, the church had to search for the applicants for the detox camps but now, with the AA being active as a group, the members have been nominating and recommending the candidates as part of their 12th step which talks about carrying the message forward.
The counselor narrated how the program does not force anybody who are unwilling but rather suggests taking a break in order to take care of their health.
The AA meetings according to him can be attended by anybody without any commitments.
He said the rate of success is very promising when it comes to people who attended the meetings out of their own volition.
Testifying to the success stories in Mokokchung with the help of the 12 Step Program, Jamir said that there are many members doing exceptionally well in life by choosing the path of sobriety.
The recovering members have seen transformations in their marital relationships, financial stability, being better parents and being generally happy in life, he said.
Independent churches such as Sungkomen, Alempang, Yimyu and Kumlong to name a few also have independent AA fellowships, he informed.
Whether you are struggling with addiction or know someone who is, AA can provide the support and guidance needed to achieve and maintain sobriety.
