ALCOHOLICS Anonymous is urging members and newcomers to contact a helpline to allow them access to new online meetings as the coronavirus lockdown begins.
Up until a week ago, some small 'lifeline' group meetings were still being held in Northern Ireland with social distancing.
However, the organisation - which is run by volunteers and receives no government funding - switched to remote sessions last Thursday.
There are 220 AA groups across Northern Ireland with some holding meetings twice a day.
Anonymity is key, with members only ever using their Christian names.
Through AA, groups of alcoholics meet regularly to share their experience and help support each other in their bid to quit drinking and stay sober.
One of the Belfast organisers contacted The Irish News last night and appealed to those affected to contact AA's central office number at 028 9035 1222. They will then be given an appropriate website link.
He said the impact of the lockdown could be "potentially devastating" for alcoholics forced into self-isolation and cannot attend meetings - but added that the online events of the past week had been "really positive".
"Our rooms are normally open to members of Alcoholics Anonymous. In order to be a member you just to have a desire to stop drinking, there's no other criteria," he said.
"So how do you get a newcomer to go to an online meeting? We have to be careful, we just can't advertise as it's almost like a 'members only' meeting. So our way round it is to ask newcomers to ring our central services phone number. When they ring us, they will be given the link.
"We're in unchartered territory and we want to send out the message to newcomers and our existing members who need our help."
The free national AA helpline - which is linked to the north's groups - is 0800 9177 650. The Belfast central office, 028 90351222, operates during office hours but all voicemails are followed up.
