"So just HOW can Al-Anon help ME?" Answer: By attending Al-Anon family group meetings.
- For a start - would you agree that Alcoholics Anonymous has been successful? Most would agree that AA works. Well Al-Anon is based on the same program as AA - adapted for the families of those abusing alcohol - so the Al-Anon program works too! And thousands of people LIKE ME have found that it DOES work - in my case, I got my family life back.
- Nothing else has worked for you - has it? In fact there is nothing you can do to stop anyone drinking. But by YOU applying the Al-Anon ideas to your situation, tensions in the family will reduce and life will improve for all, even if the drinking continues. And in many cases, we find that the drinker starts thinking about getting help - because they see the progress YOU have made.
- At Al-Anon meetings you will find people who have been through what YOU are going through and KNOW how you are suffering. You will benefit from their Experience, Strength and Hope. You will learn about coping with alcoholism from the people there and the literature available.
This almost stopped me from going to my first meeting - What if someone I know is there?? Wouldn't I feel ashamed?
Then I realised - those folks there have the alcoholic problem in their family too - we are all in the same boat.
All Al-Anon meetings have a placard on the table that reads:
Whom you see here - What you hear here - When you leave here - Let it stay here.
By ensuring every member's anonymity, Al-Anon members are able to share their private hell with those who understand, with the knowledge that all is held in confidence within the meeting. We can feel free to unburden our pain, anger and frustrations in this way - knowing they will go no further. And get help.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
Members donate what they can afford at meetings - there are no fees or dues. I sometimes think that if I had worked with a professional person with my problems, I would have paid thousands of dollars per year for what I got from Al-Anon, for a comparatively little.
WHAT IF I AM A TEENAGER?
In some locations there are ALATEEN meetings where teenagers meet under supervision to work with the Alateen and Al-Anon program .
If there is no Alateen meeting near you, then you are most welcome to attend the nearest Al-Anon Family Group meeting - you will find people there who have suffered as you have and understand what you are feeling. No problem!
SO HOW DO I FIND A MEETING?
You will find Al-Anon/Alateen on the Internet in your country - here are a few major links:
AUSTRALIA http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/australia/
USA/CANADA http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/
UK/EIRE http://www.al-anonuk.org.uk/
And by the way - help for your partner can be found at Alcoholics Anonymous.
THE BIGGEST FAVOUR YOU CAN DO FOR YOURSELF RIGHT NOW IS
GET TO AN AL-ANON MEETING AS FAST AS YOU CAN.
Wishing you peace and serenity in your life.
