What is Al-Anon

What Is Al-Anon?

Al-Anon is a worldwide fellowship that offers a program of recovery for the families and friends of alcoholics, whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not. Members gain comfort and understanding through sharing their experience, strength and hope. Al-Anon is based on the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous. Al-Anon is a separate fellowship from AA.

Al-Anon’s Purpose

Al-Anon has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics recover from the effects of living with alcoholism. This is done by practicing the Twelve Steps, by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics, and by giving understanding and encouragement to the alcoholic. There are no dues or fees for membership. The only requirement is that there be a problem of alcoholism in a relative or friend. Al-Anon is not allied with any sect, denomination, political entity, organization, or institution; does not engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any cause.

Anonymity

Sharing of similar problems binds individuals and groups together in a bond that is protected by a tradition of anonymity. Anonymity is the foundation of the Al-Anon organization. Be assured that your call to Al-Anon or presence at a meeting will be held confidential. What is said member to member will be kept confidential and what is shared in a meeting stays in a meeting.

Al-Anon Can Help

Millions of people are affected by the excessive drinking of someone close. “In Al-Anon, we understand as perhaps few others can. We too were lonely and frustrated. But in Al-Anon we found there is hope and that changed attitudes can aid recovery.” **

The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength, and hope in order to solve their common problems. Al-Anon believes alcoholism is a family illness.

By regularly attending and participating in Al-Anon meetings you will find healthy, positive ways of dealing with the difficulties that result from another’s alcoholism. Even if the alcoholic continues to drink, his or her relatives and friends can achieve serenity as a result of Al-Anon.

Al-Anon Family Groups of SE Wisconsin hold beginner meetings every week.

Check time and location at Newcomer Meetings.

These meetings are especially geared toward helping those who are new to Al-Anon. Many members have found these meetings to be helpful in understanding the basics of Al-Anon.

Help is here for the asking. If you identify with anything in this site, it is important to know that help and hope for friends and families of alcoholics is just a phone call away.

** Reprinted w/Permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc, Virginia Beach, VA