Our personal situations may be different, but we share as equals because of what we have in common: our lives have been affected by another person’s drinking. Al-Anon is a mutual support group.
We can find understanding and support when we share our common experience with each other. Some of us are here because a spouse or partner has struggled with alcoholism. For others, the problem drinker is a parent, child, or grandchild. Sometimes a brother, a sister, or some other friend or relative brings us to Al-Anon. Many of us have had more than one alcoholic family member or friend.
Alcoholism has similar effects on us all, even though our relationships to the alcoholic may be different. Many newcomers are most interested in hearing about situations and relationships that are similar to their own. Over time, however, we come to understand that we can benefit from hearing how the Al-Anon principles worked in many different circumstances.
We can find understanding and support when we share our common experience with each other. Some of us are here because a spouse or partner has struggled with alcoholism. For others, the problem drinker is a parent, child, or grandchild. Sometimes a brother, a sister, or some other friend or relative brings us to Al-Anon. Many of us have had more than one alcoholic family member or friend.
Alcoholism has similar effects on us all, even though our relationships to the alcoholic may be different. Many newcomers are most interested in hearing about situations and relationships that are similar to their own. Over time, however, we come to understand that we can benefit from hearing how the Al-Anon principles worked in many different circumstances.
OUR AL-ANON NEWCOMER WELCOME
As a newcomer you may feel that you are here tonight for the alcoholic…that your presence here may teach you how to stop his or her drinking. The truth is you are here because of the alcoholic and not for the alcoholic. You will soon learn you did not cause the alcoholic to drink, you cannot control the drinking, nor can you cure the alcoholic. You are here for yourself. You and you alone are responsible for dealing with your own pain. This is your program, it is your recovery from the effects of the disease of alcoholism.
You will find love, understanding, and a lot of hope from the AlAnon Family Group. The people around you tonight are experiencing in varying degrees the hurt, the anger and the anxiety that you too have experienced. We in AlAnon share our experiences because it helps us to focus on ourselves and our recovery. We do this with the use of the AlAnon tools of the program (steps, slogans, literature) which will be provided to you.
AlAnon will work for you if you allow it to. It's as effective as you make it. It's the safe place, the right place to be. Feel free to ask any questions or you may feel more comfortable just listening. That's fine, too. There are no "musts" in AlAnon.
Finally, what you say or hear here and who you see here tonight stays in this room. Your anonymity is protected at all times.
