Our Welcome Format
“Could we please go around the room and introduce ourselves by our first name?” As a newcomer, this phrase held special significance for me. When I first came into an Al-Anon meeting, each person around the table shared their
Let Recovery Begin with Me
Before I came into Al-Anon, I thought that my fate was entirely connected to that of my alcoholic loved one. I thought that when my loved one got sober, our family problems would go away. I felt helpless
WSO Staff and Volunteer Area Visits
Interested in revitalizing Al-Anon service in your Area? Could your Area use a refresher on the links of service? Do you have a new panel that might benefit from some service inspiration? Are you connected with a growing
Carrying the Message: A Gift of Serenity
Today, I am grateful to share the gift of serenity I’ve received through the worldwide fellowship of Al‑Anon Family Groups. Like many others, I came to Al‑Anon overwhelmed by a loved one’s drinking and the chaos it brought
Seeking Answers
I came into Al‑Anon looking for answers, believing I needed to fix the alcoholic in my life. I expected to hear how to do that at an Al‑Anon meeting. Life was chaotic at the time, and I wanted
I’ve Been There Too
Have you ever been sitting in an Al‑Anon meeting and, after a member shares, you hear someone respond with, “Glad you are here”? Maybe on your way out, you pass someone chatting with a newcomer and hear them
Learning to Listen
Before I came to Al‑Anon, I thought I was a great listener and that I had the answers to everything. I would often give advice and voice my opinions, even when no one asked. I did this mostly
Honoring More Than 75 Years of Public Outreach
As Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. approaches its 75th anniversary, we celebrate the enduring impact of public outreach in bringing hope to families and friends of alcoholics. Even before our incorporation as a nonprofit in 1951, Al-Anon members shared
Men Are Welcome, Too!
For many of us, walking into that first meeting felt uncomfortable. We were trying to make sense of why our loved ones behave the way they do. We wondered if anyone could truly understand what we’d been through.
When I Don’t Agree with the Group Conscience
Two years ago, my group decided to extend the meeting time from 60 to 90 minutes. I never liked longer meetings, but I wasn’t at the business meeting that voted for the new time. Because many meetings nearby met
Slow and Steady
Getting to my first meeting was a lengthy process. I did not believe that Al‑Anon could help me because I couldn’t understand how it worked. I also had many other ideas on how to solve the problem of
I Felt Empowered
When I first came to Al‑Anon, I felt damaged from years spent living with my alcoholic husband. I didn’t grow up in a family where alcohol was present. When I married my husband, I realized that he came