Who are we?
WHAT IS AL-ANON?
Al-Anon is a mutual support group.
We are friends and families of alcoholics who come together to share experience, strength, and hope with each other and to recover from the effects of someone else’s drinking.
It’s anonymous and confidential.
Everything you say stays within the meeting. There’s no registration and no attendance list. Anonymity is central to Al-Anon recovery.
Meetings vary— we suggest trying at least six to see whether it is right for you.
Each meeting is autonomous and runs as its members choose, within broad guidelines. Feel free to explore multiple meetings to discover the one that resonates with you best.
Alcoholism is widely recognized as a disease of compulsive drinking, which can be arrested, but not cured. It is a progressive illness, which will only get worse as long as the person continues to drink.
Alcoholism affects the entire family; everyone who has contact with the alcoholic is affected. The only person who can stop the alcoholic from drinking is the alcoholic himself or herself.
The following questions are designed to help you decide whether or not you need Al-Anon:
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 cared about you, he or she would stop drinking to please you?
5. Do you blame the drinker’s behavior on his or her companions?
6. Are plans frequently upset or canceled 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. Do you secretly try to smell the drinker’s 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. Are holidays and gatherings spoiled because of drinking?
12. Have you considered calling the police for help in fear of abuse?
13. Do you search for hidden alcohol?
14. Do you ever 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 feel like a failure because you can’t control the drinking?
17. Do you think that if the drinker stopped drinking, your other problems would be solved?
18. Do you ever threaten to hurt yourself to scare the drinker?
19. Do you feel angry, confused, or depressed most of the time?
20. Do you feel there is no one who understands your problems?
If you have answered “Yes” to any of these questions, Al-Anon may be able to help.