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 nor opposes any cause. There are no dues for membership. Al-Anon is self-supporting through its own voluntary contributions.

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.

Reprinted with permission from the Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27), © 1992, Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.

Al-Anon is a fellowship of people who have been affected by the alcohol abuse of someone. We meet regularly in small groups to absorb the strength and hope of others who have lived with alcoholism. We learn from the experience of others who have lived in similar situations.

Alateen meetings are the same as Al-Anon meetings except that Alateen is restricted to people under age 20 who live, or have lived, with someone who abuses alcohol. Alateen meetings include one or two Al-Anon sponsors. If you are living with a person with an alcohol problem, or if in the past you have lived with an alcohol abuser, please try some of our meetings. We have survived the same problems you are experiencing.If you know someone who is living with an alcoholic, or whose life has been affected by an alcoholic, please urge her or him to try an Al-Anon meeting (or an Alateen meeting if this person is young). The most difficult part of joining Al-Anon and Alateen is finding the courage to walk into the first meeting. The welcome we each received in our first meeting has given us the willingness to return. Hearing from others who have been where we are gives us hope. Discovering that each of us is accepted unconditionally, no matter what problems we have, is a relief. Being a part of a recovering process gives us strength. Some groups meet once a week and others meet more often. There are a few groups that have meetings every day, and sometimes several meetings per day. Some groups have 50 or more attendees and some groups have three or four regular members. Some groups tend to have a broad mixture of people, with a variety of relationships to alcoholics, of various generations, etc., while some groups tend to be people in very similar circumstances.

If you are new to Al-Anon, we urge you to try several groups, if at all possible. You may identify with some groups more than others

For family members, alcoholism causes a progressive inability to predict their own behavior because of the growing preoccupation with and reaction to another person's drinking. Generally speaking, if a person is wondering whether alcoholism is the problem, it probably is. Family members need to hear that the emotions they feel are a normal reaction to alcoholism. Frequently, they experience a free-floating but pervasive fear. They are afraid of the alcoholic's reactions and are prepared to settle for "peace at any price." They worry about bills, accidents and job losses (the alcoholic's and, in some cases, their own). As they attempt to deal with the erratic, irrational behavior of the drinker, they become confused and increasingly guilty and preoccupied. As their lives become compulsively centered on trying to get the alcoholic to stop drinking through unsuccessful attempts to manipulate and control, most of their actions only enable the alcoholic to continue the drinking. Family members are caught in a cycle of repetitive non-helpful behavior that leaves them frustrated, angry and alone. They feel helpless and hopeless.

Betty Reddy, CEAP
Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism © 1985 Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. "Fact Sheet For Professionals -- Information About Al-Anon & Alateen" (S-37)

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