Before I found Al‑Anon, I thought there was something wrong with me because I loved an alcoholic. I didn’t understand how I could continue to love someone whose behavior was insane when drinking. I felt alone and isolated with these feelings and felt that, if I could only figure out the right way to behave…

One of the countless new skills I began to learn when I came to Al‑Anon was managing my expectations. My need to improve in this area was especially evident whenever I was anticipating a visit with my alcoholic son, who lives in another part of the country. Beforehand, I would build up the visit in…

My feelings of “lack” all connected to events that occurred in my childhood alcoholic home. The fighting, drunkenness and disorder all confirmed to me that there was not enough love, peace, sanity, money or even the basic needs to lead a successful life. There were fleeting moments when I got a glimpse of a broader,…

I didn’t realize how deeply I was affected by alcoholism until I went to Al‑Anon. When I was living in it, around it and next to it, I simply became a part of it and I became an expert at my own role. My role? Let’s fix it before anyone finds out! The trouble was,…

I was in my Al‑Anon home group meeting yesterday when I looked over at a newcomer and saw my previous pain on another woman’s face. I remembered the overwhelming heartache, like nothing I had ever felt before, as I realized—my beautiful baby boy is an alcoholic. Before Al‑Anon, nothing else was as much a priority…

I went to my first meeting the same day my doctor suggested it. It couldn’t have come at a better time. For almost a year, I cried at every meeting—and still can. These tears cleanse my soul, and I feel better when I come out of a meeting. I need meetings now just like I…

As I look back, when I walked through the doors of Al‑Anon, I had planned to stay long enough to find out how to get the miracle of sobriety in my home. I’m still there! I was broken spiritually, emotionally, and physically. I had given up on everything and everyone. A friend dragged me to…

It’s not unusual to feel unsure about going to your first Al‑Anon meeting. Many long-time Al‑Anon members still remember how reluctant they were to go to that meeting. They felt vulnerable, at a difficult time in their lives. But they found understanding and support there, and were glad they went. An Al-Anon member recalls what…

It can become confusing to “outsiders” who have heard of Al-Anon to know whether or not they are permitted to attend an Al-Anon meeting. The following excerpt from the NCWSA website gives us an explanation of “Open”, “Closed”, “Restricted” and “Alateen” meetings: “Open” Al-Anon meetings are open to everyone, including those only seeking information about…

The “Just for Today” bookmark (M-12) was the first thing I read in Al-Anon. “Just for today, I will have a quiet half-hour all by myself and relax.” I adopted the quiet time early on and rarely miss a day. During this quiet time, I reflect, think, jot down notes, and sometimes even doze. Recently…