Recently at a meeting I attended, the topic was hope. The Chairperson shared her thoughts on what hope meant to her by breaking down the meaning of the word letter by letter. Here’s what she shared:
H = I hear others share their courage, strength and hope, which can benefit me on my road to recovery.
O = I open my heart and mind to different ideas and become willing to consider that what has helped others may help me, too.
P = I practice what I learn using the Steps, Serenity Prayer, slogans and other program tools to gain peace of mind.
E = I educate myself about the disease of alcoholism, so I can better understand what my loved one is going through. And I use Al‑Anon Conference Approved Literature to work toward recovery.
By Linda C., New Brunswick
The Forum, January 2018
My mother began her sobriety when I was sixteen years old. I was only just beginning to understand what had been going on my whole life. At the same time, I was beginning to start a life of my own. Mom began attending meetings right away, and continued for the last 20yrs of her sobriety. She told me it was a disease, though I couldn’t see how, and she invited me to meetings with her. I enjoyed this time with her very much. Over the years, she began to chair meetings and became a sponsor to many. She, again two… Read more »
My daughter is 15, I’m not sure how to suggest this to her. We live in Wy. and there isn’t much support here or any that I know of for teens. I have been alcoholic for all of her life. Sober 5 years. Intoxicated the last 5, sober now 8 months due to jail and treatment, we have been back together 3 weeks. I can’t say anything you all haven’t heard. She is wonderful, I want and desire her the support.