Alcoholics Anonymous, the financially self-supported, international fellowship, whose one purpose is to help its members stay sober, now conducts weekly meetings on the UNCW campus. The only requirement for membership is the desire to stop drinking.

A.A. is non-denominational and believes alcoholism is a disease that can affect people of any age, sex, race, religion, occupation or education. The disease is viewed as incurable, but members of the fellowship try to solve their common problem through the sharing of experience, strength and hope. Also, as is explicitly expressed in the name, A.A. grants its members anonymity.

UNCW CROSSROADS, the university’s substance abuse and prevention education program, conducts annual surveys to determine the health of the student population as well as faculty/staff beliefs concerning use and prevention efforts.

Students may have seen advertising that states: “Most students have 0 to 5 drinks when they party.” A CROSSROADS survey of 1,304 students validates this statement, concluding that 72% have five drinks or less when they go out. Twenty-six percent of students admitted smoking marijuana in the past 30 days. Fifty-seven percent of the faculty and staff consider the current alcohol and other drug use on this campus to be a problem. These numbers are useless. They do nothing to help solve the issues, which they claim to represent. A.A. does.

Also provided, via a link on the CROSSROADS website, is a self-evaluation program called e-CHUG. By submitting answers to questions concerning your drinking habits, you discover how much of a danger you are to yourself and others.

Meetings are held Fridays at 5:30 p.m. in Warwick Center, room 138, across from the mailboxes.