I wasn’t sure what bothered me about electronic Al‑Anon groups when I first started attending them. They were new and different to me, and with my camera off and a made-up name, I could be completely invisible. I could drop in and out when I felt like it, without considering any disruption I might cause or sharing in the responsibility of serving the group. This made me vaguely uncomfortable, but the convenience swept me off my feet: I could do some household tasks or “just listen in,” letting the other members carry the meeting.
Then I started comparing my participation in electronic meetings with my participation in face‑to‑face meetings. The difference was stark! When I realized how little effort I put into “attending” an electronic meeting, I decided to change the way I showed up. I started joining the meeting on time and making myself available to help ensure the meeting opened when it was supposed to and included helpful topics. I sat up straight, kept my camera on, and paid attention. I started doing my best to recognize that an Al‑Anon group is an Al‑Anon group; whether we meet in a hospital conference room, a church basement, or on an electronic platform, it still remains an Al‑Anon group.
Now, when I attend an Al‑Anon meeting online, I think about how I’m supporting the group and how that affects Al‑Anon as a whole. Am I contributing by serving, sharing in leadership, and taking turns so as not to control? Do I contribute financially to the electronic “basket” even though the expenses for the electronic platform or welcome materials are not obvious to me? Do I encourage other members to participate in the group and share Al‑Anon-related announcements? Do I participate in group business meetings to keep the group informed and vibrant?
When I first started attending Al‑Anon, I had only three face‑to‑face weekly meetings to choose from in a 40‑mile radius, no matter the weather or any unexpected obligations that came up. After all these insights, I’m more grateful than ever for the many ways I can find recovery in an Al‑Anon group—whether in person or online, almost anytime.
By Christa A.
Group Services & Alateen Coordinator
The Forum, June 2026
“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.
My son relapsed the other day after being sober for a year. He lives in a different state than I do. The police called me because someone found his phone, and that person said he saw my son stumbling. He tried to tell him that he had dropped his phone, but my son didn’t hear him. That’s how I found out he had been drinking. He hasn’t contacted anyone in a week, so I had a feeling that he had relapsed. I am so sad. I’m losing faith that he will get help. I think he wants to die. He… Read more »
Thank you for your share. I was hesitant to attend online meetings at first as well. Similarly, after moving to a rural area and having a varying work schedule, I found online meetings to be helpful. In-person meetings are great, but they are not always accessible with my schedule. Online meetings help me find balance in my life.
I really appreciate this post about online meetings. I agree that they are very handy but not as good as in person. I have been going to one in person and one online meeting almost every week for the past 5 years. Our online meeting is at 6am and is generally attended by the same 8 to 9 people with an occasional newcomer that will stick around for a couple of months. We all keep our cameras on almost all of the time and as a result most newcomers follow suit. I love this meeting. We rotate leadership well. My… Read more »
Heidi, thank you for your sharing. Our meeting, Fresh Start AFG, has regular members who attend by phone. They are able to participate in the same manner as all of our other members on Zoom. I personally benefit greatly from their experience, strength and hope. I believe that the expansion of the electronic format has been a blessing to many who would otherwise have difficulty getting to an in-person meeting. I also appreciate the chance to meet many members from all over the world, many who are very good friends with me now.
If your life has been affected by someone else’s alcoholism, you are welcome to attend any Al-Anon Family Group electronic or in-person meeting. There is never a charge for attending, but groups do accept donations from members to help cover group expenses. You can find information about meetings, including online/electronic at: https://al-anon.org/newcomers/faq/
You can find meetings at: https://meetings.al-anon.org/electronic-meeting-page/
I’m confused. Can I sign up for a group on line meeting here Free
I was so thankful for the opportunity to be an active Al-Anon participant with telephone meetings after I’d moved to a rural community. As Al-Anon literature suggests, we’d all share the load, practicing rotation of clearly defined roles, and we encouraged all present to attend our monthly group conscience discussions/ business meetings. Core group members gently shared with others the ways that doing service benefitted them, attracting through example. We exchanged phone numbers at the end of each meeting, as keeping in touch in between meetings is so beneficial. Making friends all around the world has been amazing. For me,… Read more »