Many of us arrived at the doors of Al-Anon without hope and lives filled with chaos. For the millions of people affected by the excessive drinking of someone close to them, every day can be fraught with bitterness, sadness and fear as they guard themselves against the effects of drinking.
In Al-Anon and alateen, we discovered new ways to look at some of the same situations and hope was restored. Al-Anon is a worldwide fellowship of more than 600,000 relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength and hope in order to solve their common problems. Al-Anon members suggest you ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you worry about how much someone else drinks?
- Are routines frequently upset, vacation plans canceled, or meals delayed because of the drinker?
- Have you refused social invitations out of fear or anxiety?
- Does it seem as if every holiday or vacation is spoiled because of someone's drinking?
- Do you have money problems because of someone else's drinking?
- Have you been hurt or embarrassed by a drinker's behavior?
- Do you tell lies to cover up for someone else's drinking?
- Are you afraid or embarrassed to bring your friends home?
- Do you fell that if the drinker loved you, he or she would stop drinking to please you?
- Do you think that if the drinker stopped drinking, your other problems would be solved?
Al-Anon is a safe, confidential place where it is understood how people can love and hate the alcoholic at the same time. Al-Anon helps to make sense out of the confusion that families are consumed with when living with or caring for a problem drinker. Through its Twelve Steps, adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon members learn to focus on themselves and turn negative situations into positive energy that is physically, mentally and spiritually nurturing.
"One of the wonderful benefits of working the Al-Anon program is learning how to relax. Until now, most of my life sped by in a frenzy of activity. School, work, projects, obligations, all helped me focus outward. That way I didn't have to rest long enough to feel how frightful my home life was," writes an Al-Anon member.
A member from New York also writes: "Little by little, I made a life of my own. I started by going on mini-vacations, visiting friends for a weekend. Before Al-Anon I was afraid to do anything. I was scared of my own shadow. The program has given me confidence, self-worth, a renewed faith in a Higher Power and much gratitude."
Al-Anon is not a religious program. It is fully self-supporting. There are 27,000 groups worldwide, including more than 2,800 Alateen groups for teenage members. If you are concerned about someone else's drinking, make it your resolution to contact Al-Anon or Alateen.
Alateen is an integral part of Al-Anon Family Groups. We recognize that alcoholism in the home not only affects the drinker, but every member of the family. Children are particularly affected because they depend on their parents to protect them from harm.
By sharing their experience, strength and hope, Alateen members learn that alcoholism is a family disease that affects all members emotionally and sometimes physically, even themselves. The purpose of Alateen is to help each young member of the family understand that there are solutions that the Alateens themselves may use.
Alateen is different from adult meetings in that the meetings are conducted by the Alateen members. Adults may attend only with the permission of the Alateen members. But there are one or more adults in the room called sponsors, who help by assuring that Al-Anon principles are known and used during meetings.
