Pledge to Myself as the Wife of an Alcoholic
Today, I will be still and listen to myself. I will drop the fallacy in my thinking that holds me solely responsible for the success or failure of my family. I will release a dream to which I
The Family Situation Can Improve
One morning I was riding my bicycle with a group of friends and really enjoying the beautiful day. I have found that little “Aha!” moments sometimes happen unexpectedly when I’m on my bike and my mind is in
Home at Last
I’ll never forget my first Al‑Anon meeting. The image is burned into my memory. It was in a large basement room of a church, and about 30 people were in attendance. The room was painted white, and the
Send a Card to Your Delegate at the 2024 World Service Conference
Al‑Anon’s 64th Annual World Service Conference (WSC) will meet in Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA, April 18–21, 2024. Trusted servants enjoy receiving cards from members and groups in their Area while they are at the Conference. There will not
Service Guidelines Updated!
Al‑Anon Guidelines are compiled and published by the World Service Office. They represent the shared experience of Al‑Anon and Alateen members in various service roles and provide a wealth of helpful information for anyone involved in service. In
Alateen: Finding Compassion, Empathy, and Family
My mother is an alcoholic. She has been one since the day I was born. But there was a period of peace that lasted until I was four or five years old. I remember snuggling with her on
Unity in Diversity with Hope in Action—2023 RIASA
The 11th Ibero-American Meeting of Al‑Anon Services, aka RIASA (Reunión Iberoamericana de Servicios de Al‑Anon), was hosted by the Al‑Anon structure in Argentina and took place online on October 20–22, 2023. The theme was “Unity in Diversity with
Preparing for Conference: “How Important Is It?”
“How Important Is It?” that all Conference members read and consider all documents that are posted prior to Conference, so that everyone is prepared to discuss and decide on all Conference matters affecting Al‑Anon as a whole? It’s
“The Forum”—What Is the Process?
Early in my Al‑Anon recovery, I heard that it was my responsibility to ask for what I needed. So, I promptly gave my husband a list of ways I needed him to change. Imagine my shock and indignation
Something Needed to Change
When I first walked through the doors to attend an Al‑Anon meeting, I had no idea what Al‑Anon was or why I needed it. All I knew was that my life had been unmanageable for quite some time,
Shedding the Cloak of Victimhood
Having been abused mentally, physically, and sexually by my alcoholic stepfather while growing up was a can of worms I never wanted to open. However, in adulthood, I continued to meet people who abused me. I felt “marked.”
The Road to Serenity
Years ago, a friend in Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) shared the Twelve Steps with me and recommended I go to Al‑Anon. He recognized how ill I was and understood why. I knew only that I lived in anger and despair. I