I Knew I Needed Help
Because I grew up with an alcoholic parent, I vowed I would never become involved with someone who drank. However, I found myself with a man with multiple addictions. I was stunned and heartbroken when it didn’t work
Why Should I Encourage My Teenage Family Members To Participate in Alateen?
By coming to Al‑Anon meetings, I have learned to accept that alcoholism is a family disease. It affects me in ways that I never expected or understood. It created character defects in me that deceived me into thinking
In Answer to a Need
When many of us finally found Al‑Anon, we came because of a family member or friend. I had little gratitude for my circumstances. However, as I grew and found myself becoming grateful for a better way of life,
Finally, I Was Home
My son was an alcoholic who had lost seven jobs in six years. I worried about him from the time I woke up until restless sleep overtook me. One night at about 2 am, I saw an ad
In Lieu of a Cure
I sometimes think of Al‑Anon meetings as an emergency room or infirmary where I can get treatment for my anxiety, anger, fear and uncertainty. I come when I need a dose of Al‑Anon medicine. I come because I
I Don’t Want To Hide from Life Anymore
Isolation is a term often associated with prisoners or individuals with infectious diseases. However, when connected with the disease of alcoholism, it took on an entirely new meaning for me. I had recently retired from a position that,
Thinking Ahead to the Holidays
Step Ten helps me reflect upon my life in the past 273 days of 2018. Thanks to Al‑Anon, I am taking care of myself physically, emotionally and spiritually. But that is about me. What about others? There are
Ours Is Truly a Worldwide Fellowship
Earlier this year, I visited Greece with the Chairperson of the Board, Debbie G. Our purpose was to meet with members of Public Outreach and Literature, as well as group members, to talk about how the World Service
Expanding Our Horizons with Conference Approved Literature
Are you ready to step beyond the comfort of our daily readers, but don’t know where to start? With 20 different Al‑Anon/Alateen Conference-approved books, 8 booklets and 38 pamphlets to choose from, there is an abundance of options.
Fall into Service
Did you ever wonder how Al‑Anon is held together? How is it that the Al‑Anon program of hope is the same everywhere that Al‑Anon meetings take place? What is a structure? What is a panel? How can members
A Mother’s Journey to Recovery
My oldest son caught the brunt of the family anger, confusion, irritability and everything else that happens in an alcoholic home. He caught it from both me—his mother—and his father. Today he is a very angry, confused active
The Slogans Helped Me Ease into Recovery
When I first came to Al‑Anon, I was overwhelmed. However, a member told me that the slogans are an easy way to ease into the program. I thought, okay, here I am—where do I go from here? Then