My mom saved my life. My mom saved my life because she had the guts to save her own.

I grew up in a home where the disease of alcoholism was rampant. My parents were very sick. I think a neighbor recognized the symptoms and suggested my mom go to Al‑Anon. I don’t know how soon she went, but she did, and she went a lot.

Our home was a good example of a situation getting worse before it gets better. It was not a good situation, but my mom kept going to meetings. It made me very angry. I did not understand how she could leave us.

My mom knew that if she didn’t take care of herself, she wouldn’t be able to take care of anyone. I was a teenager and did not understand. Today, I know. Today, I understand.

At the same time, people from my mom’s meetings came over all the time. I didn’t like any of them, but she had friends. I didn’t remember my mom ever having anyone over or really having any friends. Alcoholism is very isolating.

My mom took me to Alateen meetings. I have no idea why I listened to her, but I did and went to the meetings.

My mom saved me because she saved herself by getting the help she needed from Al‑Anon. I miss my mother every single day. She gave me the greatest gift in the world, because with all the odds against her, she brought recovery into our home.

By Katie S.
Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism 2017