Al-Anon

Al-Anon Family Groups, a recovery program for the friends and families of alcoholics, was founded in May 1951 by Lois W. and Anne B. (in Twelve-Step tradition, last names are not used). They share the commonality that another person's drinking has affected their lives in a variety of ways. Al-Anon offers a safe place where people can share their concerns, feelings, and experiences with others who have had similar experiences. The identities of its members are well protected. Although AA and Al-Anon cooperate with one other in the process of recovery, they are not directly affiliated. Membership in Al-Anon does not require any dues and is voluntary.

Al-Anon is structured by the Three Legacies, which are a set of principles adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous that guide the meetings. The theme that ties the principles together is "pass along understanding" through recovery, unity, and service. The first legacy, Recovery through the Twelve Steps, encourages using the Twelve Steps as a tool in finding solutions to problems, changing attitudes and behaviors, and living productive lives. The second legacy, Unity through the Twelve Traditions, is a framework used to help members solve problems, resolve conflict, and conduct group activities. Members are held together by the common desire to be uninfluenced by outside interests that may distract from the Al-Anon experience. The final legacy, Service though the Twelve Concepts of Service, was adapted and changed significantly to fit the needs of Al-Anon Family Groups. The concepts encourage spreading the Al-Anon message worldwide. Members also tend to use these concepts in their personal and work relationships.

Through the three legacies, members realize that they did not cause the alcoholism, they cannot control it, and they cannot cure it. This is sometimes referred to as the 3 C's. They learn that although they cannot change the alcoholic, they can change themselves.

Generally speaking, the families tend to be as uninformed as the alcoholic about the nature of the disease. Nonalcoholic family members are often confused and feel powerless in the face of a disease that is out of control. Many times, it is the nonalcoholic family member who holds the family together and fights for survival of the family system. Over time, life usually becomes miserable and unmanageable. While they have been victimized by the presence of alcoholism in their homes, they also unknowingly perpetuate the cycle by enabling the alcoholic to continue drinking. They do this by making excuses for the alcoholic and covering up the appearance of alcoholism. Thus, it is important that the whole family be involved in a support program in order to recover from the negative influence of alcohol on their lives and relationships.

Although roughly 30% of Al-Anon members have an alcoholic spouse, father, or both, the only requirement for members to attend group meetings is that someone has affected them with his or her drinking. The drinker does not need to be sober, attending Alcoholics Anonymous, or in another recovery program. Since the second step of Al-Anon is to "believe [Page 28]that a power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity," an important aspect of recovery is a belief in a higher power. However, the program is compatible with all religions and does not endorse a particular religion or higher power. In most Al-Anon groups, there is diversity in religious orientation.

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