Growing Where I’m Planted
When I first walked into the rooms of Al‑Anon, I had perhaps done so for all the wrong reasons—curiosity being the main one. Today, I acknowledge and understand that I have stayed for all the right ones. I have
I’m Different This Time
My alcoholic loved one was taken to the hospital recently after he had refused for two months to take his prescribed medication and spent about a month self-medicating. This is a familiar pattern to me. When he got to
Focusing on the Basics, “Just for Today”
When I first came to Al‑Anon, there were only two books and some pamphlets. There weren’t multiple daily readers or books on special subjects. The Twelve Steps seemed too complicated for me, and we seldom talked about the Traditions at
Like Working on My Golf Game
I am new to Al‑Anon; I’ve been coming less than two months. I finally decided to talk to a friend of mine about my situation, knowing he was in recovery and a member of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.). Turns out
Will the Hand of Al‑Anon Be There?
Meeting designations may be confusing to newcomers and long-time members alike. Some are pretty clear, like “Families and Friends Only” or “Families, Friends, and Observers Welcome.” But what about all the others: Men, Women, Parents of Alcoholics, People of
My First Meeting
It was my first Al‑Anon meeting. I was scared because I didn’t know anyone. I was terrified that someone would know me. I never said a word during the whole meeting. I have only one memory from that first meeting.
Why I Go to Al-Anon
People sometimes ask me why I still go to Al‑Anon since most of the alcoholics and addicts in my life are either in recovery or have died. I always tell them that I still need Al‑Anon because of our
No Longer Feathering the Nest
When a mother eagle builds her nest, her foundational materials are large branches and sharp thorns. She then lines it with layers of feathers, fur, and moss to make it comfortable and safe for her eggs and, subsequently, eaglets.
What Are Chosen Agenda Items?
Chosen Agenda Items are topics and issues of concern affecting Al‑Anon groups and members worldwide that have been submitted for possible discussion at the World Service Conference (WSC). In some Areas, the Delegates choose a topic or two to
What, Exactly, Are Al‑Anon’s Spiritual Principles?
Early in my recovery, I’d hear members mention “the principles” in meetings. I would see references to “spiritual principles” in our Conference Approved Literature (CAL). I noticed that the Twelfth Step guides us to “practice these principles.” While members
A Better Relationship with My Son
One unexpected outcome of working my Al‑Anon program has been an improvement in my relationship with my son, who is my alcoholic loved one. Realizing that I am powerless over his decisions and lifestyle has helped me to let
Accepting the Gift of Desperation
My husband and I had been to family counseling as well as spiritual counseling and were told I needed to go to Al‑Anon and he needed A.A. Of course, I thought it was all his problem and if he