Passing on the Comfort I Found
I came to Al‑Anon out of desperation. I was desperate to learn how to get my alcoholic loved one to stop drinking. I was consumed with anxiety and obsessed about his every move. I felt guilty about neglecting
The Power of Letting Go
Whenever I’m trying to control things I can’t control and trying to dictate instead of accept, my life starts to feel unmanageable. This feeling is particularly strong when I’m dealing with another person who isn’t acting the way
A Mother’s Journey: From Control to Acceptance
Today while I was working in the backyard, one of our chickens flew over the fence of the pen and joined me. I thought nothing of it and continued my work. However, before learning that this chicken could
Electronic Group Registration: Geographic Area or Global Electronic Area?
Part of the registration process for Al‑Anon electronic groups is determining whether a group wants to register with the geographic Area or with the Global Electronic Area (GEA). The questions below can be used to guide the group
Our Differences Weave One Tapestry
As a child, I thought of my differences from others as something that made me special. No one else I knew lived in a single-parent home or moved and changed schools every year. As I grew, I tried
New Beginnings, New Hope, New Choices
How many beginnings do I have in my life? As the world changes, as I change, opportunities for new beginnings appear. Accepting that change is a fact and a reality has certainly helped me in my recovery. It took
Al-Anon “Is” the Place for Me
Some people can remember the exact date they first came to an Al‑Anon meeting. I do not. I remember, though, the exact situation that caused me to follow through on actually walking into my first meeting. It was the
Comfort in a Rough Place
“You are in a rough place right now,” my Sponsor said as we walked together before our meeting. I had asked him to meet me 30 minutes early to help me find some firm ground. My brother had died
What Is a Limited Excerpt?
On page 117 in the “Digest of Al‑Anon and Alateen Policies” section of the 2022-2025 Al‑Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27) v3, it states, “Permission to reprint extensively from our publications is not granted in the United States and Canada
Common Questions About Al-Anon Electronic Literature
Q: In what digital formats can I purchase Al‑Anon Conference Approved Literature (CAL)? A: Currently, some pieces of CAL are available as ebooks, audiobooks, or both. Q: Which books are available as ebooks or audiobooks? A: See the complete
With Clarity Comes Opportunity—Serving as Trustee
Have you ever considered applying to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees or wondered about what’s required? In 2021, the World Service Conference discussed this topic and identified that potential candidates were seeking to understand
My Journey as an At-Large Literature Committee Member
Shortly after my District position ended, a notice in The Forum magazine caught my attention: the World Service Office (WSO) was looking for At-Large member applications for the Literature Committee. I decided to apply. The application asked for