Years of living with an alcoholic take a heavy toll on everyone around them. According to our literature, the alcoholic's family longs for the return of lost happiness and security, but living in the shadow of addiction can make wives and children neurotic, and the entire family becomes, to some extent, sick itself. We deeply understand how frustrating and exhausting it is to try to control a loved one's drinking, to cling to false promises, and to feel utterly helpless in the face of the destruction.

The Difference Between A.A. and Al-Anon.

In the early days of the program, we hoped we could offer membership in A.A. to families and friends as well, but experience proved that this was impossible, as the deep identification that enables recovery must be directly between two alcoholics. Therefore, the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous focuses exclusively on the alcoholics themselves.

However, you do not have to be left without answers. There is a completely separate sister fellowship called "Al-Anon" – Family Groups. This fellowship applies the general principles of the 12-Step program as a spiritual and practical guide adapted specifically for husbands, wives, relatives, and friends of alcoholics. In addition, there are also "Alateen" groups, which are part of Al-Anon and are designed specifically for teenagers, the children of alcoholics.

Important to know: Al-Anon meetings are entirely for you and your emotional recovery, and they are open to you regardless of whether the alcoholic in your life has already found their path to sobriety or is still drinking.