When I reached the end of my rope with my alcoholic/addict son, I decided to go to an Al‑Anon meeting. That first Al‑Anon meeting was on a dark, cold, rainy night, which was how I felt at the time—dark, empty, and lost. I had learned about Al‑Anon from a speaker at a family meeting at the alcohol counseling center where my son was attending. I was so overwhelmed that I could not understand what the speaker said about Al‑Anon.
I was afraid that someone would recognize me, and then my secret would be known. The members welcomed me as a newcomer. They were laughing and happy. I thought that they couldn’t have any alcoholism in their lives because they were so joyous. Was I wrong! They asked me to try six meetings, and if it didn’t work out, they’d give me all my misery back! I can laugh at that now. They asked if I had any questions. They said to “Keep Coming Back” and perhaps I’d find something in the program that would help me. I am grateful because they were so right. During the first several meetings, I was so overwhelmed by the truth in the readings that I’d cry and couldn’t finish. I was never looked down on and always helped gently. That’s exactly what I needed.
By Maureen B., South Carolina
The Forum, June 2020
Alcoholic adult child
My 38 year old son has been an alcoholic/addict since his high school days. It’s been a long and hard road for everyone. He has faced multiple consequences of his addiction including homelessness and overdoses. I attended my first Al-Anon meeting a few years ago and it helped me find the strength to lovingly detach and asked him to leave my home. It was very difficult for me but I made it through. He lived out of town for a few years. I saw him active on FB so I knew he was alive but we didn’t talk. 6 months… Read more »
My son is an alcoholic. He has overdosed a couple times. He is 30, lost his house, his kids and I did the Marchmant Act’s court ordered rehab’s inpatient and outpatient. His liver is very bad shape. He keeps relapsing by family members enabling him. It’s very frustrating and I fear he want live. Got a crisis counselor who gave me this website, which she also diagnosed me with PTSD from all that I’ve been through with my son and dad who also is an alcoholic. I’m getting away from everyone that is enabling him which has made me feel… Read more »
My son is my world and he is 40 now. He and I went through a lot together when he was young. I honestly believe I would not have made it without him. Now he needs me to be here for him. He moved home 3 months ago. Most of it has been good but then a friend of his was killed by the police and he has spiraled out of control, including totaling his car and a DUI. He still has a job though because he is a remote worker and they have no idea all this is happening.… Read more »
Ok so my son and I have gone through a lot he’s 28 and had ODd twice so far this year. I want him to go to inpatient and of course he swears up and down that the drugs was just a slip. But I know better. He also is an Alcoholic and that’s not something he is willing to give up. I gave him a choice (inpatient was not an option for him) so I told him no drinking no drugs and after jail he can come home. But if he does I’m going to drop him off at… Read more »
This is the first day that I am on the Al-Anon site and am so hoping that I will find some relief from my guilt and regret and most importantly to accept that my daughter is an alcoholic. I have been seeing (facetime) a therapist that urged me to join a group through Zoom. I just watched part of one. It felt good. My daughter is 48 and I am 70.
I am so worried about my son. He drinks to the point of passing out. He works, is a scientist, great conversationalist, is loving but is isolated and living alone. I don’t know how to help him. He has not reached out for help. I know it’s like smoking, you have to want to quit.
I have an alcoholic son, for the past 7 years he goes to treatment, comes out and a week later, he is right back at it. He is a great funny person when not drinking. It has torn my family and his wife’s family completely apart. After 4 months since we threw him out and he went back to getting help and things were peaceful, we find out he got in a fight in a sober home and was thrown out, living in a tent near his work. Yes his work, he has a great job. My fear of him… Read more »