The C.A.T.s (Club of Alcoholics in Treatment) and their ASSOCIATIONS

DIFFERENT METHODOLOGY SAME AIM A.A. Alcoholics Anonymous C.A.T. Club of Alcoholics in Treatments Self Help Associations DIFFERENT METHODOLOGY SAME AIM

The A.A. were born in the USA in 1935 by the inspiration of Bill e Bob. They believe alcoholism is a disease belonging to the individual and a problem for the society. The C.A.T.s were born in Croatia in 1964 thanks to Prof. Hudolin, and adopted in Italy in 1979. They believe alcoholism is the consequence of a life style and is a problem for the family and for the community.

Usefulness and goals of the ASSOCIATIONS NOT TO BE ISOLATED TO BE BETTER KNOWN BEING STRONGER in the COMMUNITY INCREASE the SENSE of BELONGING ASSESS the NEEDS by the CLUBs PROMOTE TRAINING MAKE the RELATIONSHIP between CLUBs and SOCIAL SERVICES EASIER Be the REPRESENTATIVE of the CLUBs vis-à-vis the INSTITUTIONS

Usefulness and goals of the ASSOCIATIONS It is important for the CLUBs to be REPRESENTED with the INSTITUTIONS AICAT has taken the Clubs, in the last years, into the main committees, such as: National Alcohol Committee (Italy) Alcohol Prevention Day (Italy) European Health Commission (Brussels) European Forum on Alcohol and Health (Brussels) E.M.N.A. (European Network of Mutual Help for Alcohol Related Problems)

All the ASSOCIATION’S MEETINGS are open to all the Club Members THE CLUB ASSOCIATIONS C.A.T. CLUB of ALCOHOLICS in TREATAMENT A.C.A.T. Local ASSOCIATION of C.A.T. A.R.C.A.T. REGIONAL ASSOCIATION of C.A.T. A.I.C.A.T. ITALIAN ASSOCIATION of C.A.T. W.A.C.A.T. WORLD ASSOCIATION of C.A.T. All the ASSOCIATION’S MEETINGS are open to all the Club Members

A.R.C.A.T. COORDINATES the various A.C.A.T.s in its area to PROMOTE the ACTIVITIES that cannot be carried on by a single Club: e.g. LOCAL, REGIONAL and NATIONAL CONGRESSES, PUBLISHING, TRAINING EVENTS, INTERCLUBS, SOCIAL ACTIVITIES etc.

Sept. 2007 – Invited to WACAT Assembly CAT in the World Sept. 2007 – Invited to WACAT Assembly Norway Italy Sweden Switzerland Denmark Slovakia Croatia Estonia Lithuania Macedonia Spain Poland Belarus Russia Romania Bulgaria Greece India Sri Lanka Ecuador Kenya Chile Congo Mauritania Cameroun Argentina Brazil

The local Associations (A.C.A.T.) set up: MONTHLY MEETINGS of SERVANT-TEACHERS (SELF-SUPERVISION) MONTHLY MEETINGS of CLUBS PRESIDENTS (ACAT BOARD) LOCAL ALCOHOL SCHOOLS of 1st, 2nd, 3rd MODULE UPDATING COURSES for SERVANT - TEACHERS SENSIBILIZATION COURSES (often in cooperation with other A.C.A.T.s) INTERCLUBS

EVERY C.A.T. is TOTALLY AUTONOMOUS, FREE and SELF-GOVERNING CLUBS are not subject to PLANNING or CONTROL by the PUBLIC SERVICES The ASSOCIATIONS are rendering SERVICES to the CLUBS and NOT VICEVERSA

VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION FEE EVERY FAMILY usually pays a small amount every month to the club (for instance in Italy between 5 and 8 €) The CLUB rebates 2/3 to the ASSOCIATIONS to support their activity. 1/3 remains with the CLUB and the FAMILIES decide how to spend it (for incidental charges).

INTERCLUB Is an OCCASION to MEET and EXCHANGE EXPERIENCES among CLUBs of the same area, in addition it is OPEN to the COMMUNITY to FAVOUR and DISSEMINATE the KNOWLEDGE of the SOCIAL ECOLOGICAL APPROACH

INTERCLUB Once or twice a year, the Clubs of a limited area (e.g. 5-15 Clubs) get TOGETHER to meet NEW FRIENDS, see the OLD ONES, discuss a TOPIC, stimulate the CHANGING PROCESS of the COMMUNITY, delivering AWARDS to the Families having reached ABSTINENCE GOALS, enjoy the company, aknowledge how the QUALITY of LIFE has IMPROVED

But INTERCLUB It is an opportunity to invite people from the local COMMUNITY, people who have an influence on the same COMMUNITY, “Opinion leaders”, for instance: The Mayor The Chief of the Fire Dept. Local Police The Priest Social Services The Chief of the Local Addiction Centre The other Voluntary Associations Immigrant representatives, etc.

LOCAL ALCOHOL SCHOOL OF 1st MODULE it is advisable to set up a PARTY At the end of the LOCAL ALCOHOL SCHOOL OF 1st MODULE it is advisable to set up a PARTY Because the School does not consist only of hard work, but is an opportunity to socialize

A.I.C.A.T. is publishing a magazine “CAMMINANDO INSIEME” (WALKING TOGETHER) EVERY 3 MONTHS OFFICIAL ORGAN of the Association