Welcome to “First Steps to Al-Anon Recovery” from Al-Anon Family Groups. This is a series of podcasts to discuss some common concerns for people who have been affected by someone else’s drinking.
Today we have Carollyn, Michael, and Barbara with us. All are active Al-Anon members. They are willing to talk about who referred them to Al-Anon Family Groups.
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After years of living with people who drank and couldn’t stop, a friend of mine suggested I try Al-Anon. I’ve been reading some literature and think it will help.
While most of us have heard that alcoholism is a disease, too few recognize it as a family disease which may emotionally spiritually and often physically affect three or four people in each home, each office or workplace, or each group of friends. Al-Anon Family Groups, Al-Anon and Alateen, give us the assurance that no situation is too difficult and no unhappiness too great to be lessened if we are willing to keep an open mind. A change in our attitude may be of boundless help and is often the force for good that finally inspires an alcoholic to seek… Read more »
My former Art Therapist suggested Al-Anon during our second session together, about two years after my older sister committed suicide via a drug overdose (and a lifetime of disease). I was in a torrent of pain. I went to the next meeting that was scheduled and guess who was leading? My Art Therapist!! She was so surprised to see me there! She exclaimed, “No one ever comes when I suggest Al-Anon!” I still feel that having my therapist there and hearing her story that night was my Higher Power giving me a gentle, encouraging nudge toward willingness and acceptance of… Read more »
My in-laws were the first people who suggested I try Al-Anon. They didn’t know what it was, but they had heard that it could help me get my husband, their son, to stop drinking. I was really angry that they were butting into our business, but I went to a meeting just to get them off my back. I don’t remember much of the meeting, except that I didn’t hear the answer of how to get my husband to stop drinking. At the end of the meeting I noticed that the group had a table of literature. I was involved… Read more »
I learned of Al-Anon from the hospital I was at. I went into the psych ward in a small town where we were living in Ontario. I had not slept for a few nights and I went into an insomnia-induced psychosis. I was in so much fear and I’m not sure who or when I was told to go to Al-Anon. All I remember is I wanted to try anything. My first meeting was in 1974. I was 23, married to an alcoholic, and had a baby. I went to this meeting and what I saw was a lot of… Read more »