
Let It Begin with Me
When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, let the hand of Al-Anon and Alateen always be there, and — Let It Begin with Me.
The message of the Al-Anon Family Groups, Al-Anon and Alateen, is one of hope. It is the story of men, women, and children who once felt helpless, lost, and lonely because of another's alcoholism. Although Al-Anon grew from a need expressed by family members of Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon and Alateen offer help and hope to families and friends of alcoholics whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not. While many of our members no longer maintain daily contact with an alcoholic, they seek the mutual support Al-Anon and Alateen groups offer.
Al-Anon is a unique fellowship that unites members of different backgrounds, races, and walks of life in an inspiring endeavor: helping themselves and others to lead purposeful, useful lives by overcoming the frustration and helplessness caused by close association with an alcoholic.
Alateen (Al-Anon for younger members) is a vital part of Al-Anon Family Groups. Young people seeking help with problems that arise when alcoholism afflicts a parent, another close relative, or a friend meet to exchange experiences and to gain an understanding of themselves and the alcoholic. This helps their own personal development and can help stabilize troubled thinking resulting from close association with an alcoholic.
Al-Anon Is a worldwide organization that offers a program of recovery for the families and friends of alcoholics whether or not the alcoholic seeks help or even recognizes the existence of a drinking problem. Members give and receive comfort and understanding through a mutual exchange of experiences, strength and hope. Sharing of similar problems binds individuals and groups together in a bond that is protected by a policy of anonymity.
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. There are no dues for membership. Al-Anon is self-supporting through its own voluntary contributions.
Al-Anon is not a religious organization or a counseling agency. It is not a treatment center nor is it allied with any other organization offering such services. Al-Anon Family Groups, which includes Alateen for teenage members, neither express opinions on outside issues nor endorse outside enterprises. No dues or fees are required. Membership is voluntary, requiring only that one's own life has been adversely affected by someone else's drinking problem.
Today these men, women, and children have courage and confidence. They have found understanding and learned what to do to help themselves-and this can indirectly help their alcoholic relatives, loved ones, and friends, whether sober or not. Al-Anon will always be what we its members make it. Al-Anon believes that our benefits are measured by our willingness to share them with others. For we know we can never give as much as we receive.
Please feel free to visit this link "How Al-Anon Works for Me". These web pages may give you some encouragement to visit your first meeting.
"Easy Does It"