The Telephone – The Lifeline For Alcoholics Anonymous

Audio Version   

Telephones have been the backbone for AA ever since Bill W picked up the receiver

in Akron and changed his life forever; this remains true to this day and especially so

during the trials and tribulations of lockdown.

For the past three weeks I have been stuck in the house, only allowed out for the

occasional walk and/or visit to the shops, just like most members. I am missing my

meetings in a way that I would never have believed. The old adage ‘A week away

from AA makes one weak’ is still as true as it was a month ago.

Many people are using new technology to go online and have meetings through

Zoom and Skype but not everyone has access to the internet or even knows how to

use it. This leaves us with that original and lifesaving instrument – the telephone.

For me this has been absolutely vital and I have been using it to get support and to

offer support - phone calls are mutual support systems! I am now using my phone

more than ever and have been in touch with members. I’m having a chat, reaching

out and drawing in. I have also spent more time speaking to my family, spread from

France to Fife, all of which has helped me stay in a sober frame of mind.

And that is the important bit – staying in a sober frame of mind. Pubs and clubs may

be closed for the duration but off licences are still open so the ‘devil’ of temptation

is not far away. Keeping the mind in the right place and calm is not something that

goes well with isolation and many members are struggling with this.

My plea therefore is for members to rethink their use of the phone. You may be

using online meetings and getting support from there but are all your friends from

meetings able to do the same? A phone call is a quick, intimate and nice way to stay

in touch with your friends that you have not seen for a month or so and possibly for

some time to come. I let people that I speak to know that it is okay to give my phone

number to members they know as I don’t have everyone’s number in my phonebook

so I’m helping to extend my phone network.

People are often wary or reluctant to call someone as they think they are intruding –

far from it. In my case a phone call from a member is always welcome and a quick

chat (sometimes longer) always leaves me feeling so much better.

An old advert for telephones used to say ‘Phone a Friend’ – this applies today more

than ever. Phones may be the only outlet to the outside world some Members have

so please use your phone and spread the message of Love, Companionship and

Fellowship.

Andy

Port Seton Tuesday