New to Al-Anon
What is Al-Anon?
Al-Anon Family Groups is a support group for those impacted by a loved one’s drinking. We use the twelve steps and traditions adapted from Alcohol Anonymous to apply to ourselves in our daily life.
Meetings give us the chance to share our experience, strength, and hope with other members with the similar experience.
Applying the steps and traditions, finding a sponsor, reading literature, and attending meetings help change our perspectives and attitudes to our situation leading to serenity.
“ … I came to understand through reading Al-Anon literature, listening to other members, and practicing the slogans, Steps, and Traditions in my personal life … Little by little, I stopped focusing on the alcoholic’s probems and started concentrating on my own”
— Hope for Today pg 294How does Al-Anon Work?
Al-Anon meetings are both anonymous and confidential. What is said and who is seen in meetings is not carried outside the meeting. We are also careful to protect the anonymity of any AA members we might know.
There are no designated leaders because everyone shares as equals. Al-Anon has no religious affiliation. We are supported by member donations.
Al-Anon uses a modified version of AA's Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions to guide our decisions. During meetings, when periods of silence occur, we have time for personal reflection. We avoid interrupting others and we refrain from giving advice.
In meetings we learn how to apply the principles of the Al-Anon program to change our lives. We use these principles to decrease the turmoil from alcohol-fueled discord. Talking things out with people who understand eases the pain.
“I go to Al-Anon to get rid of the self-pity and resentment, not to increase their power to distroy me. I go to learn how others dealt with their problems, so I can apply this wisdom to my own life.”
— One Day at a Time in Al-Anon pg 75