About Al-Anon

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. We believe alcoholism is a family illness, and that changed attitudes can aid recovery.

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 has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps, by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics, and by giving understanding and encouragement to the alcoholic.

Help is here for the asking. Please take a moment to ask yourself these questions: “Are You Troubled By Someone’s Drinking?” or “Did You Grow Up With A Problem Drinker?” If you identify with some of these statements, it is important to know that help and hope for friends and families of alcoholics is just a phone call away.

How Al-Anon works for me

In Al-Anon, members do not give direction or advice to other members. Instead, they share their personal experiences and stories, and invite other members to “take what they like and leave the rest” -that is, to determine for themselves what lesson they could apply to their own lives.

The best place to learn how Al-Anon works is at an Al-Anon meeting in your local community. Personal contact is an important element in the healing process. These Web page selections may give you some encouragement to visit your first meeting.

Newcomers to Al-Anon are often interested in learning from members whose personal situations most closely resemble theirs. After attending Al-Anon meetings, they begin to understand how much they have in common with everyone affected by someone else’s drinking, regardless of the specific details of their personal situation.

Soundtracks & podcasts from Al-Anon members

What was my first meeting like?
Why did I feel afraid to go to my first Al-Anon meeting?
What do you wish you knew about Al-Anon?
For Spouses and Partners
For Parents

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