Before I came into Al-Anon, I thought that my fate was entirely connected to that of my alcoholic loved one. I thought that when my loved one got sober, our family problems would go away. I felt helpless waiting for that to happen.
Desperate for change, I went to Al-Anon. I learned that alcoholism is a family disease, and I adopted the slogan, “Let It Begin with Me.” For me, “It” represents recovery. Let recovery begin with me.
I can be the one to bring recovery into my home and family. I can be the one to attend my meetings regularly. I can be the one to “Listen and Learn.” I can be the one to get a Sponsor and work the Twelve Steps of recovery. I can be the one to practice these principles in all my affairs. I no longer have to wait for anyone else. As I continue to become healthier working my recovery program, I bring that healthier “me” to every “we” I am part of.
Let recovery begin with me.
By Susan O.
The Forum, January 2026
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.