It’s Okay to Love an Alcoholic
Before I found Al‑Anon, I thought there was something wrong with me because I loved an alcoholic. I didn’t understand how I could continue to love someone whose behavior was insane when drinking. I felt alone and isolated
Self-Care Replaced Fear and Anxiety
Growing up in an alcoholic home, I learned to focus on how my dad came home and whether my mom was going to be sad or angry. I learned to worry about my sister when she didn’t come
I Put the Focus on Myself
When my 15-year-old son began drinking, I would stay up and wait for him. The happy young son who loved to play the piano after dinner and read lots of books in the living room was now angry
From Pleasing Others to Pleasing Myself
Recently I purchased a vintage red bike at an estate sale. I smiled when I first saw it. It felt right. The first time I rode it, I realized how far I have come in Al‑Anon. I had
Finding True Hope
For a long time I would hope for things that I knew wouldn’t come true. Hope for me was like a wishing well that I tossed a nickel into whenever I needed motivation or a happy place to
“Keep Coming Back”
After an Al-Anon meeting one night, I stood outside the church in the freezing rain. Cars drove away, and people waved to each other with promises to meet next week. Once again, I felt deep despair because no
My Burdens Weighed Me Down Until I Found Al-Anon
My therapist suggested that I attend Al‑Anon. The keyword is “suggested.” Believe me, I did not want to sit around a table with a bunch of strangers, but something told me to and gave me the strength and
I Felt Welcomed and Wanted
I remember the first day of visitation when my son was in a treatment center. He suggested that I attend an Al‑Anon meeting afterward. It was truly an invitation by my Higher Power to take that giant step
Mothering or Enabling?
When I first came to Al‑Anon, I spent a great deal of time wrestling with the term, “enabling.” I am a mother. Surely a mother’s role is to enable her children, is it not? It has been a
Dealing with Feelings
In the past, feelings ruled my life. If anyone displayed an emotion, I quickly absorbed it as my own. Once triggered, I found it difficult to let go of anger and fear. Then, as if this were not
I’ll Keep Coming Back
I have been in Al‑Anon for a little over 20 years, and I keep coming back because of the transparency and honesty in these rooms. Nowhere else in my life do I find people who are willing to
This Is My Story
“I am so grateful to have the program to pull out and use in any situation.” I lived with my parents until I was five. When they divorced, I went to live with my grandparents. I was so