Never Too Old to Learn New Ways of Thinking
I first heard about Al‑Anon from a pizza restaurant owner I did not know. When I placed my order, he looked at me and said, “Who is this for?” Before I could answer, he spoke our foster son’s name,
Feeling Better from the Start
I was nervous about going to my first Al‑Anon meeting, but I felt I had nothing to lose. I had hit my emotional rock bottom and was losing my sanity. Being unhappy for most of my life, I
A Map to Serenity and Happiness
I am surrounded by alcoholism—both active alcoholics and those in recovery. These are people very close to me, whom I love. Yet, I am a happy person! How is it that I can feel so joyful? Why am
The Importance of Newcomers!
As an Al‑Anon member, I am always grateful when a new face enters the room. Whether it is someone’s very first Al‑Anon meeting, someone visiting from out of town, or a student completing an assignment for school, I
Learning to Accept the Truth
My goal when I attended my first Al‑Anon meeting was to glean from the program a go-by list that could be used to lead my two alcoholic sons down a path to recovery. I regarded alcoholism as a
Have You Heard the One About the Mom, the Minister, and the Alcoholic’s Wife?
In a drunken rage, my husband pointed the gun at me this time. I was so distressed. What would happen to me next time? I was so scared! After he passed out, I packed my suitcase and left.
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