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ABOUT

Problem drinking has affected millions of people.   Al-Anon Family Groups offer comfort, hope and friendship to anyone troubled by another person’s drinking.

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Our personal situations may be different, but we share as equals because of what we have in common: our lives have been affected by another person’s drinking. Al-Anon is a mutual support group.

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We can find understanding and support when we share our common experience with each other. Some of us are here because a spouse or partner has struggled with alcoholism. For others, the problem drinker is a parent, child, or grandchild. Sometimes a brother, a sister, or some other friend or relative brings us to Al-Anon. Many of us have had more than one alcoholic family member or friend.

Alcoholism has similar effects on us all, even though our relationships to the alcoholic may be different. Many newcomers are most interested in hearing about situations and relationships that are similar to their own. Over time, however, we come to understand that we can benefit from hearing how the Al-Anon principles worked in many different circumstances.

Please see the Al-Anon.org FAQ site for more resources: http://al-anon.org/newcomers/faq/

SOME OF THE BASICS

WHAT DOES ANONYMOUS MEAN TO AL-ANON?

Al-Anon is an anonymous fellowship.  Everything that is said in the group meeting or member-to-member must be held in confidence.  Only in this way can we feel free to say what is in our minds and hearts.

Anyone may be a prospective member if they feel their lives have been or are being affected by alcohol abuse in a family member or friend.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF AL-ANON?

The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength and hope in order to solve their common problems.  We believe alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery.

Al-Anon is not allied with any sect, denomination, political entity, organization or institution: does not engage in any controversy, neither endorses not opposes any cause.  There are no dues for membership.  Al-Anon is self-supporting through its own voluntary contributions.

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Al-Anon has but one purpose:  to help families of alcoholics.  We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps, by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics, and by giving understanding and encouragement to the alcoholic.

HOW DO I KNOW IF AN-ANON IS FOR ME?

1.  Do you worry about how much someone drinks?

2.  Do you have money problems because of someone else’s drinking?

3.  Do you tell lies to cover up for someone else’s drinking?

4.  Do you feel that if the drinker loved you, he/she would stop drinking to please you?

5.  Do you think that the drinker’s behavior is caused by his/her companions?

6.  Are routines frequently upset or meals delayed because of the drinker?

7.  Do you make threats, such as, “If you don’t stop drinking, I’ll leave you”?

8.  When you kiss the drinker to say hello, do you secretly try to smell his/her breath?

9.  Are you afraid to upset someone for fear it will set off a drinking bout?

10.  Have you been hurt or embarrassed by a drinker’s behavior?

11.  Does it seem as if every holiday is spoiled because of drinking?

12.  Have you considered calling the police for help in fear of abuse?

13.  Do you find yourself searching for hidden liquor?

14.  Do you often ride in a car with a driver who has been drinking?

15.  Have you refused social invitations out of fear or anxiety?

16.  Do you sometimes feel like a failure when you think of the lengths you have gone to control the drinker?

17.  Do you ever threaten to hurt yourself to scare the drinker?

18.  Do you feel angry, confused, depressed most of the time?

19.  Do you feel there is no one who understands your problems?

20.  Do you think that if the drinker stopped drinking, your other problems would be solved?

If you have answered yes to three or more of these questions, Al-Anon Family Groups may help.