At my first Al‑Anon meeting, there were 20 women and no men, which confirmed to me that I was probably married to the only female alcoholic in the world. Yes—I was that angry, lonely, and tired. I thought, How could these nice ladies relate to my singular, unique burden? After several meetings with the same group, I realized that their understanding of my misery was spot on. Their experiences were like mine, and I came to see them as kindred spirits.

Today, the Al‑Anon fellowship is an integral part of my life. Service helps me grow in strength and sustains me through life’s challenges. I will never forget those women in my first meeting and will be eternally grateful for their guidance toward my eventual recovery and serenity.

By Anonymous

The Forum, June 2020