“The Forum” Magazine Stories2024-08-01T16:48:06-04:00
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The Changing Spaces of Al-Anon Groups

Since the spring of 2020 and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the continuous and sometimes tumultuous changes in our world have directly impacted our Al‑Anon groups. I, like many Al‑Anon members, was unable to attend my Al‑Anon meetings.

Building My Castle on High Ground

The main drinker in my life has many wonderful attributes. One evening when he was drunk, however, he picked a meaningless argument with me that was useless and destructive. I used the tool of detachment that I learned

Connecting around the World

Three years ago, as March 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic roared in with a vengeance, my beloved Al‑Anon meetings were threatened. Soon, I learned about an electronic platform that enabled face-to-face meetings via my computer. I looked up

Taking a Beauty Break

I’ve learned so much about how to apply Al‑Anon’s tools and spiritual principles by listening to members share their experience, strength, and hope at meetings. I’ve also encountered lessons in unexpected places.While hiking through the Grand Canyon a few

Grateful for Greater Access

One of the good things that came out of the COVID-19 pandemic is access to many more Al‑Anon meetings. For a long time, I attended one weekly in-person meeting. Sometimes I would attend more if I was having

The Power of Doing Nothing

At my first Al‑Anon meeting, I was introduced to Step One: “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.” As much as was possible in the beginning, I understood I was powerless over alcohol

Some Thoughts on “Helping”

Al‑Anon saved my life.  I truly believe if I had not found this program, I would have died. Yet here I am, able to find happiness and joy, even though my life’s circumstances aren’t perfect. My program really came

Let’s Talk Terms!

What does “conceptually approved” mean?  Once the World Service Conference thoroughly discusses an idea for a new piece of literature and the motion carries, it grants approval for the idea to be developed. It then delegates development of

I Always Feel Better

I have been in Alateen regularly for eight years. My dad is in A.A. and my mom is in Al‑Anon. Even though we don’t have active alcoholism in our home, my family thinks it’s important for all of

Balance, Harmony, and Beauty

I never cease to be amazed at the way the spiritual principles embodied in the Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts of Service—such as common welfare, unity, participation, right of decision, appeal and petition, autonomy, definition of

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