I am a huge proponent of Al-Anon because it has made such a difference in my life. I live the program and my own recovery everyday and because of this, people want to know more.
Alcoholism and addiction are running rampant in our country and in 2017 it was believed that over 49 million people had an addiction to alcohol and over 65 million had and addiction to some form of street or prescription drugs. These numbers even overlapped in many cases as there were a great number of dual addicts out there too. This means that for every alcoholic and/or addict, there is at least one (and usually several more than that) family members or close friends dealing with that addict/alcoholic. Their lives are quickly becoming out of control, unmanageable and bordering on the brink of dangerous and even life threatening. They need to know that there is help out there for them. Al-Anon is that help.
This blog is a list of the most asked questions asked about Al-Anon and their answers. If after you read this, you would like to know more, please comment in the comment section after the blog or call the numbers at the bottom of the page.
Al-Anon Q&A
What is Al-Anon? By definition, it is a mutual support group that helps family and friends of problem drinkers better known as alcoholics. In its early stages, families and a few friends of alcoholics were pretty much the only ones in attendance at these meetings. As the world of addictive behaviors grew, Al-Anon opened themselves up to families and friends of other forms of addictions also. Each addiction whether it is drugs, sex, gambling and so on all have addiction specific groups available, but often depending where you live, these addiction specific groups are not always available. Because the groups steps and traditions are pretty much the same across the board, Al-Anon meetings can be for the family and friends of pretty much any addiction.
So who's in charge? No one and everyone are in charge. Al-Anon is unique in the fact that money, social standing, job status, or any other usual hierarchy have no affect on leadership. It is an anonymous group of people from all walks of life with the same goal.....to regain their sanity and their life after their addict or alcoholic has imploded it. With this common need and goal, every individual in the group is equal in power. Each member takes turns leading meetings and any business having to do with that particular group is decided equally among the group. I know of no other group that handles business in this way.
Why don't I hear about Al-Anon? While Al-Anon usually has meetings posted via flyer in churches, city buildings, counseling offices and other community places, there is no mainstream media blitzes on it. You can usually find a meeting if you look online for your city and state with an accompanying address and phone number and many learn about Al-Anon by word of mouth, but there are few commercials out there and very little press on it. Al-Anon basically flies under the radar because it is an anonymous group and media attention would hurt the anonymity. Also Al-Anon doesn't align itself with political, religious or any other groups of any kind (other than AA).
What happens at an Al-Anon meeting? People that attend their first Al-Anon meeting might be very surprised when walking through those doors the first time. The other members are always kind and welcoming. You will be asked your first name, but unless you choose to, you don't have to do another thing but listen. The meetings usually run an hour long and they are conducted by a member reading the opening at the beginning and the closing at the end. There is also usually recital of the 12 steps and sometimes one or all of the Traditions, the Serenity prayer at the beginning and the Our Father at the end. In between the opening and the ending, a topic for that meeting is picked and those in attendance share either on that topic or if they need to share about something else....that is perfectly okay too. No one over talks, interrupts, nor comments on what you share about. While people usually share at these meetings, most find that they get more from listening to others than they do speaking.
Is this a religious group? No. While the 12 Steps are based on a Higher Power, it is up to each individual to decide who or what their Higher Power is. Some find that the group in general is their Higher Power, some find it in the program and some of course find their Higher Power to be God. Al-Anon is also affiliated with no religion or religious sect and there is no talk of religion during the meetings.
So what can Al-Anon do for me? Al-Anon will give to you as much as you put into it. In other words, if you are to the point in your life with your alcoholic or addict that you find yourself powerless over your addict and his/her choices and you feel like your world has been turned upside down and made to feel a bit insane and you want this all to change, working the Al-Anon program will turn all of this around. Al-Anon does not try to fix the alcoholic or addict, because they can't. No one can. What Al-Anon can do though is to teach you to focus on you. It will give you tools that will help when you are living with, communicating with or just dealing with your addict. Al-Anon helps to calm the frantic waters of worry and stress and also helps to curb our need to fix and control our addict. You will learn very quickly that you have no control over anyone but you....not even your addict. You will also learn the three C's: "I didn't cause it. I can't control it. I can't cure it." In a very short time you will be seeing your situation, and even your addict through much different eyes and before you know it, you will actually find some peace and serenity whether your addict/alcoholic chooses to get clean and sober or not. You also find people willing to listen whether at the meeting or outside the meeting as a list of phone numbers for times of need are given out.
Are there online Al-Anon groups? There are online Al-Anon groups and I would encourage you to supplement your recovery with them BUT, if possible, I would highly suggest finding a local meeting and to go as often as you can, along with reading Al-Anon approved literature.
Is there a national Al-Anon number that I can call for local meetings and more information? Yes.
Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters 1-800-356-9996
Al-Anon National Hotline 1-800-342-2437
So here you have it. Some of the most asked questions about Al-Anon.
Please if you or someone you know has a close friend or family member dealing with an alcoholic or addict and they need help, please point them in the direction of Al-Anon. There are meetings going on 24/7 nationally and internationally. Al-Anon works if you work it and you are worth it!
Until next time.......
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