Group Meetings
Meetings are when Al-Anon members meet together, and talk about dealing with the effects of alcoholism in a friend or loved one. At group meetings, we share our experience, strength, and hope with one another, keeping the focus on ourselves and the Al-Anon tools of recovery. There is no requirement to share. By concentrating on our feelings and attitudes toward our situation – rather than on the details of the situation – we contribute to the group’s unity and our recovery. We talk about how the disease of alcoholism has affected our thinking and behavior. We talk about the part we played in our problems and how we change our attitudes and actions by applying the Al-Anon program to our lives.
Meetings are one of the most important tools of the program. By talking with other members face-to-face, this is a safe place to work on the recovery from the effects of Alcoholism.
Al-Anon meetings are available all around Suffolk County, 7 days a week. To see the list of the Al-Anon/Alateen meetings in our are, please check out the meetings list.
All meetings start at a specific time; most last about an hour or so; some have no formal closing time. You can come into a meeting or leave anytime you choose. The Meeting opening is read, then introductions by first name, we may read the steps/traditions and other selected readings (each group varies) followed by Al-Anon/Alateen related announcements and them the program itself. The program may include a specific topic for discussion and sharing or a speaker who shares their experience strength and hope with the group. When the meeting ends, the suggested Al-Anon closing is read and at times the group will recite the Al-Anon declaration or another prayer of their choosing.
Each group also have members who rotate service positions within the group. These positions may be: Chair person, topic person, literature, hospitality, treasury etc.
There is no requirement to keep going to the same meeting. You may want to try other meetings in your area until you find one that you like. Eventually you will find one that will help you in your recovery, which you may call your Home Group. You may go to as many meetings as you like. It is a personal preference of each member.
Common types of group meetings are:
