Aug
Tropical Life
Unexplainable Tech Issue and San Pedro Help
Please excuse the big while space where the front page slide show should be on my homepage. Somehow during a recent update and site work it got disabled and we are trying to figure out why and how to fix it through online support. Unfortunately we realize that if it is a recent update causing the trouble, it may have affected many and we could be somewhere down the line in regards to getting help and a fix.
On the topic of help, I recently had an interesting experience of taking someone to AA that needed a helping hand. While there I participated in reading aloud, met a couple of new people and had the privilege to listen to their stories. It was very rewarding to hear how far they fell and how well they are doing thanks to finding out AA was an available San Pedro. These people were all willing to make a decision that they wanted do better for the next 24h and to take the help available and improve their quality of lives.
I can just imagine how difficult it is on the island, every direction you look you will find someone willing to have a drink with you and you can start your day buying alcohol as early as 6:00am if you know where to go. I have had someone once offer to buy me a drink at a bar and then go onto say he would only buy me that drink provided I chose alcohol not my first choice, a bottled water. I have also experienced a few places that do not sell bottled water – I know that is a plus for recycling but it is sadly one less option for those who do not want an alcoholic beverage.
Countless times I have seen people get peer pressured into having “just one more” by others who are not respecting when someone is saying they have had enough or just did not want to drink in the first place. What is the value in try make a person take an alcoholic drink with you when they do not want to drink that day or is someone who should not be drinking in the first place?
If you are one of those people doing the instigating, please try something different next time you find yourself in that situation. Stop a minute, be a good friend and consider the person you are encouraging to take that drink. Whether they are an alcoholic or not, there is a reason the person is making a conscious decision not to drink that day and it is important to respect that decision.
If you or someone you know can benefit from having a great group of people to talk to, look no further, Alcoholics Anonymous San Pedro Chapter is an effective island option. Meetings are held Tues Fri noon at Catholic Church rectory on front street near the park and Boca Del Rio also near the park every day at 6:00pm. If you need a contact person to talk to Saul is a great guy and can be reached at 627-1585.
Sign picture above courtesy of picture Unbelizeable Weddings and Honeymoons facebook page.
Nice job Taco:)
I got your private comment Sharyn, thanks for the lead. I saw Saul today and he said the group views and welcomes non drinkers who are connected to alcoholics as a learning potential for members.
I have not heard anything about Al-anon meetings Sharyn but would love to find out of they are still happening. Are any of the other founding members on the island right now?
A couple of people (me included) started an Al-Anon meeting at the San Pedro Catholic church rectory a couple of years ago (because I was spending the winter on the island and couldn’t go that long without an Al-Anon meeting). It was on Saturday mornings at 10:00am. Do you know if it’s still happening?
It looks like a cool place Dr Al. Too bad there are not more options like that and affordable ones. I am sure many people in the country could benefit from a week or 2 at New River Cove.
http://www.12steptreatmentcentres.com/holistic-treatment-in-central-america-93.asp
New River Cove it was.
I think it’s closed now as of 2012. But I don’t know for sure. Took a tour of the place in 07 and it was very upscale. They had only one patient. The cost was 20k per month. Horses, pools, gym, lush gardens etc. amazing place.
I have not heard of anywhere else in the country.
It is very hard to do here Dr Al. Every time you turn around someone wants to buy you a drink. Do you know the name of OW Rehab? When I looked it up I mostly got info on the rehabilitation of the Orange Walk air strip near Chan Pine Ridge village. You did lead me to the Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation page which is a relevant contact for something we have been working hard on – thanks.
Well stated. Belize has the highest per capita consumption of alcohol in the region. And on AC it is everywhere. One of the key AA dictums is to “avoid slippery places and people”. This must be nearly impossible there to do. Lots of support and a good sponsor needed. Maybe a month in rehab. There was/ is one near OW but very expensive.