The first Al‑Anon meeting I attended was not for me—or so I thought. I was accompanying a friend who was looking for answers about her alcoholic loved one. I was immediately welcomed by the women and men there, and I noticed that they were all smiling and laughing. I felt comfortable before the meeting even started. As we all took turns reading the Steps and Traditions, I was filled with the desire to be accepted by these people, to fit in and enjoy the same serenity they exuded. Then everyone shared about the First Step and how they came to understand it and start their journey to serenity. More importantly, when it came my turn to share, everyone listened attentively as I described how unmanageable my life was. Without judgement, they nodded in understanding. I wept as I realized I’d found a place where I felt I belonged. I hadn’t ever thought that I would find answers to many of my personal difficulties, much less be invited to share the company of such inspiring and loving people. As it turned out, Al‑Anon was absolutely for me.
By Christine D., Ontario
The Forum, August 2019
Please visit our Newcomers page to find out how Al-Anon can help and the Meetings page to find a meeting in your area. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic many face-to-face meetings may still be unavailable and we invite you to try an electronic meeting. Al-Anon Family Groups offer a large list of electronic meetings on a variety of platforms, including Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp, email, and phone. In addition, the meetings are available at all hours of the day, and some even 24 hours a day
Hi I’m looking for place I can go to where I can feel like someone can relate. I’m 47 year old mom and grandmother.
My son is and alcoholic. l am in Edmonton trying to support him; he needs help. At this point he works, pays his own bills. Recent break-up. All his basic needs are met. He admits to those close to him that he has a problem. We have talked about his options, but so far I know he has not made the first step.
My middle child, my son, who is an adult has recently admitted he is an alcoholic. He is seeing a therapist and was going to AA meetings and things seemed to be getting better. No more phone calls when he was drunk, his life seemed to be getting better. I had talked to him this last weekend and he sounded really good. About 3 hours later I receive a phone call from his younger sister who has a 4 month old (none of us live close to each other) and he was drunk. He got nasty and hung up on… Read more »
My adult alcoholic son has vile attacks toward me every 2-3 weeks. He brings up things from 40 years ago in which I have profusely apologized for. I find myself apologizing for every single thing that he accuses me of. I don’t know fact from fiction anymore. He reads these psychology books and along with drinking I become his victim. He shows true hatred toward me. I just feel that I don’t want a relationship with him anymore. It is too painful to watch him go on this way. I have spent thousands of dollars trying to help him out… Read more »
I first attended a meeting in San Jose Costa Rica…4 years ago. My youngest son was out there…you know what I mean…
I had tried everything including bring him here…long story short the police came and told me he had to leave Costa Rica…what he wanted… Flew to Florida disappeared…
I goggle and found a meeting here…I was beyond being a dad…The support and compassion I was blessed with…Got me through the Dark..
I find myself tonight in another family situation. But I know where to go for peace…God Bless you for everything you do for so many people.