Al Bolduc and his brother, Bob, and two close friends sit at a table playing pinochle at the 12 Hour Club on Lisbon Street.

At first glance, it looks like other social clubs around town with good-natured joking and laughs. But one difference is there’s no alcohol. The lack of it is what brings most of the 227 members together.

“Most members have had issues with alcohol or some other drug,” Al Bolduc, finance director, said. “There are a few of us who are here just for the fun and social aspect of it, but most everyone has had a wake-up call at some point. We come here to support each other and help others who need it.”

The nonprofit club was established on Bates Street in 1973 by three women to help recovering alcoholics. It moved several times before settling at 120 Lisbon St. 12 years ago, Al Bolduc said.

With a great support system in place and members who are willing to go out of their way to help anybody kick a bad habit of any kind, the $5 per month membership dues can be a lifesaver to those looking to escape the grip of addiction, he said.

Many of the regulars have been clean and sober for several decades, he said.

The club supports people with addictions to drugs, alcohol and food-related issues, as well as homeless people.

“When the homeless shelters close their doors for the day in the morning, some come here to have a warm and safe environment to stay,” Al Bolduc said. “We have coffee and food at really good prices. We don’t make much money off our food and beverage sales, so the only way we make money is from the bingo games we sponsor at the Cavalier Club.”

Members come to the club not only to socialize, but to take part in organized outings such as Red Sox games, deep-sea fishing, dances and picnics.

 “We used to have a softball team, but most of us who used to play are too old now,” Bob Bolduc said as he showed off his “stacked” hand of pinochle.

The club also works with the Police Department and organizations such as Alcoholic Anonymous, which rents a room for its regular meetings.

“We have a strong tie to many organizations who call us when they have a person in need, Al Bolduc said. “We have some cops that know us and give us a call when somebody needs support. We have had drunks come stumbling off the street, and we bring them to detox and try to get them into the club when they are released. We still go over to the jail on Saturday mornings and talk to the inmates.”

Al Bolduc said the club, which has seven directors, doesn’t get many donations because its nonprofit status means contributions are not tax deductible.

Everyone is welcome to check out the 12 Hour Club, he said. It is open every day of the year with hours of 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.