The Difference a Year Makes
This time last year, my life was unmanageable despite my alcoholic relative having almost two years of sobriety and being active in recovery. I was filled with anger, resentment, and confusion. I tried at all costs to bring
Walking through the Doors of Al-Anon…
When I walked through the doors of Al‑Anon, back in 1988, I came because I was looking for someone to tell me how to keep the alcoholic in my life from drinking. After a while, it began to
Hearing the Words that Helped Me to Listen
At my first meeting I was angry. I had been ordered to attend meetings and thought I didn’t need to go. I sat in my first few meetings with my arms folded across my chest thinking, “What do
The Path Isn’t Chosen by Me
The illusion of control made me feel powerful in a world where I had frequently felt powerless and resentful towards the people, places, and things in my life while growing up. In adulthood, I micromanaged the lives of
Deciding Where to Look
After work, I rode home to the 20th-floor apartment I shared with my alcoholic partner. It faces a main avenue of our city. When I got off at the bus stop in front of our building, I looked
Beauty Inside and Out
Recently, I was preparing to move to a new state and had to decide what to keep and what to donate to charity. I had some old beds in storage that had not been used since I was
My Confusion Cleared
I came into Al‑Anon angry, hurting, and confused as to how I managed a career, but seemed to consistently fail in my personal relationships. I had no idea that being raised in an alcoholic home had affected me
My Personal Three Cs
I am so grateful for the gift of my recovery in Al‑Anon. From my very first meeting, I clung to the “three Cs.” I didn’t cause, can’t control, and can’t cure the disease of alcoholism. I experienced freedom
Climbing the IAGSM Mountain
The following sharing was contributed by a member from South Africa who served for the first time as a Delegate to the International Al‑Anon General Services Meeting (IAGSM). This is a biennial meeting of representatives from national Service
Al-Anon Group Annual Updates—Our Journey
I had a lot to learn about group records when I came to work at the World Service Office (WSO). Although I had held a number of Area service positions, I never managed the Area records. What I
March Forth into Service
Al‑Anon Family Groups’ cofounder, Lois W., would be celebrating her 130th birthday on March 4, 2021. One of her familiar quotations is, “It takes only one person to start something, but many others to carry it out.” With
Al-Anon Saved My Life
Before Al‑Anon, I lived in a lot of fear. I shut down when a situation made me feel uncomfortable, or I lashed out like I was fending for my life. It was as if I was going to