For those struggling with alcoholism or other substance abuse, Naval Support Activity Bethesda (NSAB) Interfaith Center is set to start hosting a weekly Alcoholics Anonymous group.
The “Another Chance” AA group came about between talks that NSAB Chaplain Christilene Whalen had with AA member Dan.
“I wanted to start one for the NSAB community,” he said. “I approached the chaplain and said ‘Hey I’d love to start a meeting here.’”
“We said, ‘When?’ Whalen recalled. “It was a decision that was easy to make.”
Dan said he hopes the meetings will help service members, “Wounded Warriors” or anyone who works at NSAB and has a problem with alcoholism.
“Our primary purpose (in AA) is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety,” Dan said.
Whalen said the Interfaith Center’s mission rolls neatly into that of AA as both are designed to help people grow.
“AA is really important to me,” she continued. “I have a large amount of alcoholics in my family … They help not only the person who is going through it, but the family member as well. ‘Cause it’s difficult to live in a house with an alcoholic.”
Another Chance is a registered group of Alcoholics Anonymous, so people who have court requirements to attend can come and have their court cards signed. Whalen said service members can be referred to the meeting through the Drug and Alcohol Prevention Advocate.
“Sometimes those ‘voluntold’ things help people keep their jobs, keep their families and keep their lives intact,” Whalen added.
Dan said anyone is welcome to attend the group and “the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.”
The first Alcoholics Anonymous group is March 15 at 11:30 a.m. in the Interfaith Center basement, conference room 34, Bldg. 11. For more information, call the Interfaith Center at 301-319-5058.
| Date Taken: | 03.08.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 03.08.2018 12:30 |
| Story ID: | 268571 |
| Location: | BETHESDA, MARYLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 19 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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