Are You Concerned About an Alcoholic Child?
Trying to cope with a son’s or daughter’s alcohol abuse is one of the most difficult challenges in life. Their problems become ours, as objectivity goes out the window. It becomes a never-ending cycle of crisis and rescue. We pay for doctors’ bills, treatment center stays, attorneys’ fees, rent, food and cars, often at the expense of our own financial security. It is difficult to say no because of the underlying fear that, somehow, we’ve caused the problem.
Many people come to Al‑Anon for the support and understanding they need to handle this heart-breaking situation.
The Power of Letting Go
Whenever I’m trying to control things I can’t control and trying to dictate instead of accept, my life
A Mother’s Journey: From Control to Acceptance
Today while I was working in the backyard, one of our chickens flew over the fence of the
Al-Anon “Is” the Place for Me
Some people can remember the exact date they first came to an Al‑Anon meeting. I do not. I remember,
There Was Al-Anon
Looking back on the years of chaos with my son, I like to believe that everything happened for
Lost-and-Found Self
I was addicted to my son. Coming to that realization was a major aha moment for me. For years,
What Compassion Really Means
Before coming to Al‑Anon, I had a hard time understanding exactly what compassion was. I thought it meant
From Victim to Victory, Using the Tools of Al‑Anon
When I think of the word victory, I think of achieving success despite significant obstacles. I see it as
The Dinner-Party Test
I recently attended a dinner party with my husband, my recovering alcoholic son, and my son’s girlfriend. The host,
Understanding how alcoholism affects my son—and me
In 2017, I was 5’2” and weighed 117 pounds. My six-foot son weighed 116 pounds. The swirl of
The Family Situation Can Improve
One morning I was riding my bicycle with a group of friends and really enjoying the beautiful day.
Something Needed to Change
When I first walked through the doors to attend an Al‑Anon meeting, I had no idea what Al‑Anon
The Road to Serenity
Years ago, a friend in Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) shared the Twelve Steps with me and recommended I go to