Alcoholics support group inquiries flood in (From York Press)

Alcoholics support group inquiries flood in

11:30am Thursday 28th January 2010 in Sorted By Mike Laycock, Chief reporter

A NEW support group for alcoholics in York says it has had a stream of inquiries since being featured in The Press.

We reported late last year how the York Alcohol Forum was offering front-line assistance to people trying to give up the bottle or control their drinking.

Spokeswoman Claire Cook said then that, although professional organisations and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) existed in York, group members believed they could offer a valuable complementary service by providing peer guidance and encouragement to people on their difficult journey to abstinence.

She said today that since the article appeared, the group had received a steady stream of phone calls and emails from people interested in its work or wanting to join. “We had three inquiries by 5pm on the day the article appeared and have now had at least 15,” she said.

“Some have been from people who were worried about a family member’s drinking.

“We referred them on to AA, via our committee member who is involved with them. Others came along to our group and have continued to join with us.”

She said group members had been able to share their experiences of professional help within the York area, and invite some to come along to AA meetings.

Members had also been able to reassure others that the symptoms of withdrawal they were experiencing would pass.

“Some inquiries have been from other groups, such as Arclight in York, wondering what we could offer their clients who seriously want to give up drinking.”

She said she had just spoken to a father who was worried about a family member, who had now agreed to meet her.

She said she had also been given the confidence to approach other organisations to get the group better known, such as Alcohol Concern.

Claire said: “It’s all thanks to The Press.”

• Anyone wanting to know more about the forum, which meets regularly at York CVS’s meeting rooms in Priory Street, should phone Claire on 07981 935768, or Denise on 07981 935746 or email yorkalcoholforum@yahoo.co.uk