Professionally employed and physically active, they nonetheless shared the trait of not being able to control their drinking.

But like many alcoholics, that wasn't an easy thing to accept, and for a long time they lived in a state of denial.

Eventually though, they began to see they did have problems, and from there their slow journeys to sobriety began.

For John, the realisation he had a drinking problem didn't truly sink in until he'd tried and subsequently given up on Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) a number of times.

But it happened eventually, and in a testament to the hard-won path to sobriety AA has proven to be for many alcoholics, it started with the first step.

Step one of the 12-step program reads: We admitted we were powerless over alcohol and that our lives had become unmanageable.

"Step one applied to me in its entirety," John said.

"I had become unmanageable."

That was 31 years ago now, and although he's no longer tempted to drink, John still regularly attends AA meetings and is actively involved in the organisation.

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Chris F's life of sobriety began 13 years ago, when she was 57.

Despite raising a family and running a number of successful businesses beforehand, she sees the act of getting sober as her greatest achievement.

Now the chairman of the Manning Great Lakes District Alcoholics Anonymous organisation, she believes one of the most rewarding things about AA is not only that it has led her away from alcohol addiction, but it's also given her the opportunity to help others.

John agrees wholeheartedly.

"The care you get in AA is unbelievable," he said.

"It has a very simple goal - to help suffering alcoholics."

The Manning Great Lakes District Alcoholics Anonymous organisation will hold its 28^th annual rally from Friday, November 1 to Sunday, November 3, and both John and Chris are keen to get the word out there that no matter what preconceptions people might have about AA, if they're struggling with alcohol, they should come along and check out the public meeting at the Tuncurry Memorial Hall at 7pm on Saturday evening.

"Come along and find out what it's all about," Chris said.

"If you are an alcoholic, most likely you'll identify with what we're saying.

"We don't tell you what you've got to do. You just get comfort."

To find out more about the rally, call Chris on 0418 422 558 or Kaz on 0416 196 701.

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