Alcoholics Anonymous – Hospital Visitation Offer
The following memo was developed by the Central Service Hospital Visitation Committee. The memo will be distributed to area hospitals.
The intent of this memo is to provide information regarding a Hospital Visitation initiative sponsored by local members of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
Members of the local AA community will, upon request from the patient, either directly or through a third party, come to the bedside to spend time with individuals. A patient may already be in recovery, or may be indicating a desire to hear about AA.
It is my privilege to coordinate these visits and assist with other volunteers in carrying them out. Wherever possible, we prefer to confirm the request with the patient prior to the visit.
We ask that you let the appropriate individuals (administrators, front-line staff etc.) within the hospital know about this service. When they are aware of a need they can contact the central AA phone office, or myself, at the numbers below and we will endeavour to arrange for a member to drop by at the earliest convenient time.
Our desire is to ensure all those seeking benefit from our experiences have access to them.
I thank you for your cooperation.
Foster Lohnes
Chair, Hospital Visitation Committee
AA phone office: 902-461-1119
Foster Lohnes: 902-435-2172
Email: flohnes@ns.sympatico.ca