Haridwar, Nov. 15 -- The pain for their fellow alcoholic brothers and sisters was well written on their faces. They want to extend a helping hand to all those who have forgotten their families, career and society and fallen prey to some kind of addiction, be it alcohol, drugs or narcotics.

The Fifth Alcoholics Anonymous National Convention kicked off on 13 November at Prem Nagar Ashram in Haridwar where over four hundred members of AA from all over the country gathered to share their strengths, hopes and experiences with others. The four-day long convention from 13 to 16 November will foresee interesting sessions by eminent speakers who want to stay anonymous for a reason.

Vijay, an engineer by profession from Haridwar, shares, "I am a ...