The introduction to the “Digest of Al‑Anon and Alateen Policies,” the second section of the 2022–2025 Al‑Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27) v3, states, “The ‘Digest of Al‑Anon and Alateen Policies’ reflects policy statements that grew out of questions and experiences from the Al‑Anon fellowship worldwide. They are interpretations of our basic guides, the Twelve Traditions and the Twelve Concepts of Service.”
Policies offer consistency when members or groups seek clarification on matters relating to the Al‑Anon fellowship. Before a policy is adopted or changed, it goes through a thorough review process, with final approval given by the World Service Conference, Al‑Anon’s largest representative group conscience.
When fellowship questions arise, consider:
- Looking at the experience expressed in the policies
- Referencing the “Digest of Al-Anon and Alateen Policies” during group business meetings
- Sharing the information with other members
- Including the source of the information so members can know where to look
- Hosting a workshop on the “Digest of Al‑Anon and Alateen Policies”
Finding ways to share the policies helps support the consistent message of help and hope that has been carried for more than 70 years. Every member of Al‑Anon is a guardian of the Twelve Traditions—no permission is needed!
The Forum, April 2024
“Inside Al-Anon Family Groups” presents news, policy, and commentary from volunteers, staff and readers sharing experience through service. Please feel free to reprint these articles on your service structure website or newsletter, along with this credit line: Reprinted with permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA.
I love that we don’t police each other in program! Policing was rampant in my alcoholic household. Sometimes I do see it in program. Though well intended, overly emphasizing the many Al-Anon guidelines and policies to a newcomer can often be off-putting. A newcomer may be so put off that they never return. I’ve seen many earnest members “inflicting their help” on newcomers.
Before citing Tradition 10 to tell someone “that’s an outside issue” to get them to stop talking about something, please remember that we are all allowed to share our experience, strength, and hope. I hope we can leave it up to each member to adhere to policies as they grow in program, and, as the title says, don’t use the policies as permission to police each other.
In our ever changing society it has never been more vital than today for each and every member to own exactly what has been stated “Every member of Al‑Anon is a guardian of the Twelve Traditions—no permission is needed!” The sanctity of our program can only be upheld and prosper if I stand in the storm and hold allegiance to our Traditions, which were so thoughtfully composed and have endured the test of time, to ensure all those who are in need can find and receive the spiritual gift of this life-saving program. It saved my life, restored me to sanity, and raised me out the pit of doom. The family disease of Alcoholism is a destructive force rooted in and from evil. God is our ultimate source of power and authority, our Traditions must be guarded to ensure those who follow can and will receive these gifts of healing and grace, to further pay witness to the miracle of our experience, strength, and hope openly shared in our meetings.
I love the last statement – no permission is needed!
Over the years I’ve felt self-conscious about raising my concerns when I’m in a group, especially when I’m new or a visitor to a meeting, about an aspect of a meeting that conflicts with the Twelve Traditions.
I can have terrible internal backlash later as I wonder what others will think of me, this is an effect of growing up in a home affected by problem drinking – people pleasing for fear of being disapproved of at the risk of my own well-being or values/ethics I abide by.
So I try and practice the First and Second Traditions – that our common welfare should come first and that there is but one authority, and of course Tradition Twelve – principles above personalities. These Traditions guide me that it’s not about me or others but about the group and the fellowship as a whole.
So – no permission is needed! is another reminder I can give myself to have the courage to speak up in meetings, Area Assemblies, Conferences, Board meetings, Committees, Task and Thought Forces when we’re not following our Traditions and Concepts of Service.