In the thirty years, I’ve worked with families of alcoholics, I have seen many distraught mothers, husbands, wives, sons, and other family and friends say they won’t go to Al-Anon for several reasons.
Following is a list of the most common reasons why co-alcoholics won’t try this program.
- It’s his/her problem, not mine.
- I don’t like groups.
- I went once and they didn’t help me.
- I tried 3 meetings and didn’t get any advice on how to stop my alcoholic from drinking.
- What if someone from my small community recognizes me? My husband is important in town and his career could be in jeopardy if I went to one of those meetings.
- I’m seeing a therapist and she doesn’t tell me to attend.
- I don’t have the time.
- He/she doesn’t get violent and holds a job so it isn’t that bad.
- There’s nothing wrong with me. If he would just stop drinking all would be fine.
- My children aren’t being affected.
Al-Anon and Alateen are essential for the loved ones of the alcoholics because they provide concrete ways to cope with the disease of addiction. In an Al-Anon group new members will hear other many members share their experience, strength and hope for recovery for this “Family Disease”
Al-Anon is almost as old as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Al-anon was started by Lois W, wife of AA co-founder Bill W., and Anne B., a close friend of Lois’. In the formative years of AA, which started in 1935, the wives and relatives of AA’s realized that they too could improve their lives by applying the spiritual principles of AA.
For more help in understanding the Al-anon and Alateen program, go to http://al-anon.org. It just may change your life.