When I first walked through the doors to attend an Al‑Anon meeting, I had no idea what Al‑Anon was or why I needed it. All I knew was that my life had been unmanageable for quite some time, and, after two years of encouragement from a friend, I was finally at a point where I knew something needed to change. What I didn’t realize was that the “something” was actually me.

I knew that my friend’s life was as chaotic as mine, yet she seemed to have peace with her life the way it was. When I started to attend meetings, I was still in sort of a fog, and I don’t even remember which piece of literature the group was reading. But when we began to read How Al‑Anon Works for Families & Friends of Alcoholics (B-32), it all began to make sense to me. Hearing the readings and listening to others share, I started to let go of the guilt I felt for not keeping track of my daughter’s habits while she was away at college, and I became more mindful about giving her “suggestions.”

Focusing on myself was a gift that I gave to my daughter and myself. It gave her back her dignity, and gradually, my own sanity began to be restored. I began to have a better understanding of the Al‑Anon program—how it works, how it has helped others, and, after four years, how it is helping me.

By Amy B., Texas

The Forum, March 2024

Feel free to reprint this article on your service arm website or newsletter, along with this credit line: Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA.