The Best “Me” I Can Be
Growing up in the Midwest, sex and shame went hand-in-hand for me. Growing up gay meant I was wrong every time I got personal with someone. It was better to be an alcoholic than to be gay, and
Comfortable Hearing My Own Voice
Sharing in meetings has always been super hard for me. I tend not to speak up much in meetings. My natural tendency is to isolate—both when things are going well and when I am struggling. As I have
Practicing Personal Safety
After I was sexually assaulted by the man whose drinking brought me to Al-Anon, I spoke up about my experience at a meeting. A couple of respectful Al‑Anon members drew close to me in compassion. I was a
Keeping Al-Anon Safe
When I was a newcomer in Al‑Anon, safety in meetings meant many things to me, including serenity, anonymity, confidentiality, and acceptance. It meant serenity because the only time I experienced peace during the week was when I sat
Never Too Old to Learn New Ways of Thinking
I first heard about Al‑Anon from a pizza restaurant owner I did not know. When I placed my order, he looked at me and said, “Who is this for?” Before I could answer, he spoke our foster son’s name,
Feeling Better from the Start
I was nervous about going to my first Al‑Anon meeting, but I felt I had nothing to lose. I had hit my emotional rock bottom and was losing my sanity. Being unhappy for most of my life, I
A Map to Serenity and Happiness
I am surrounded by alcoholism—both active alcoholics and those in recovery. These are people very close to me, whom I love. Yet, I am a happy person! How is it that I can feel so joyful? Why am
The Importance of Newcomers!
As an Al‑Anon member, I am always grateful when a new face enters the room. Whether it is someone’s very first Al‑Anon meeting, someone visiting from out of town, or a student completing an assignment for school, I
Learning to Accept the Truth
My goal when I attended my first Al‑Anon meeting was to glean from the program a go-by list that could be used to lead my two alcoholic sons down a path to recovery. I regarded alcoholism as a
Have You Heard the One About the Mom, the Minister, and the Alcoholic’s Wife?
In a drunken rage, my husband pointed the gun at me this time. I was so distressed. What would happen to me next time? I was so scared! After he passed out, I packed my suitcase and left.
The Difference a Year Makes
This time last year, my life was unmanageable despite my alcoholic relative having almost two years of sobriety and being active in recovery. I was filled with anger, resentment, and confusion. I tried at all costs to bring
Walking through the Doors of Al-Anon…
When I walked through the doors of Al‑Anon, back in 1988, I came because I was looking for someone to tell me how to keep the alcoholic in my life from drinking. After a while, it began to