“These people are just like me.”
At my first Al‑Anon meetings, I was angry. I had been court-ordered to attend and thought I didn’t need to go. I sat in the meetings with my arms across my chest, thinking, “What do these people have in common with me?”
Then we read out loud, How Al‑Anon Works for Families & Friends of Alcoholics (B-32). I sat up in my chair, uncrossed my arms and listened for the first time. “We lose the ability to say no,” I heard. That did it. These people are just like me. They do understand my struggles.
Now, I look forward to meetings. These one-time strangers, even the newcomers, are my friends.

Misty C., California