Hi there. I am completely new to Al Anon and am still in a state of shock. I am finding that while all the self help codependency books are helpful, I find more healing in a narrative/fictional story that paints the details out of being in a relationship with an A that I can relate to. Whenever I search for fiction/films about Alcoholism it almost always seems to be from the perspective of the A, which I've read/watched and found helpful but am searching for something from the other side. Do any of you have any recommendations that you found cathartic?
Freetime said
May 28, 2018
Hello Slybib and welcome! I appreciate your question, because I believe there is a real shortage of fiction and films from the perspective of the person in relationship with an alcoholic. I think it's one reason why Al-Anon is unknown to most of the public.
However, I just finished reading "Lois Remembers," the autobiography of Lois W., one of the Al-Anon co-founders. Reading about the early years of her marriage to Bill W., before AA was founded, I could really relate. Also, if you haven't seen the film "When Love is Not Enough -- the Lois Wilson Story," very moving for those of us who have been there.
I'm familiar with a couple of fictional movies. One is "When a Man Loves a Woman." (1994, with Meg Ryan). While it is focused on the alcoholic wife, it also shares the family's viewpoint.
Another one I like, though it was not well reviewed and you might want to wait until you've been in the program for a while and are ready to laugh about our own foibles -- "Stuart Saves His Family" (1995) featuring a comic character from Saturday Night Live.
Thank you for this question! I hope others have more books and movies to share.
hotrod said
May 28, 2018
Hello slybib I found Alanon literature extremely helpful as well as attending face to face meetings and listening closely to the sharing at these meetings, all very authentic
The alanon books I found most helpful are" the Courage to Change, (helpful examples of how we interact with the disease and new tools to try.) and" Paths to Recovery" as well as' Opening our Hearts Transforming our Losses" - all available at meetings or on line
Tude said
May 28, 2018
Hi slybib. Welcome to the forum. Everyone had great suggestions. I have all the ones Freetime mentioned on DVD and many of the books too. You'll enjoy them. I just restocked my alanon books that I had let go of during a move in December. I see myself in bits of all the books and movies.
Hi there. I am completely new to Al Anon and am still in a state of shock. I am finding that while all the self help codependency books are helpful, I find more healing in a narrative/fictional story that paints the details out of being in a relationship with an A that I can relate to. Whenever I search for fiction/films about Alcoholism it almost always seems to be from the perspective of the A, which I've read/watched and found helpful but am searching for something from the other side. Do any of you have any recommendations that you found cathartic?
However, I just finished reading "Lois Remembers," the autobiography of Lois W., one of the Al-Anon co-founders. Reading about the early years of her marriage to Bill W., before AA was founded, I could really relate. Also, if you haven't seen the film "When Love is Not Enough -- the Lois Wilson Story," very moving for those of us who have been there.
I'm familiar with a couple of fictional movies. One is "When a Man Loves a Woman." (1994, with Meg Ryan). While it is focused on the alcoholic wife, it also shares the family's viewpoint.
Another one I like, though it was not well reviewed and you might want to wait until you've been in the program for a while and are ready to laugh about our own foibles -- "Stuart Saves His Family" (1995) featuring a comic character from Saturday Night Live.
Thank you for this question! I hope others have more books and movies to share.
Hello slybib I found Alanon literature extremely helpful as well as attending face to face meetings and listening closely to the sharing at these meetings, all very authentic
The alanon books I found most helpful are" the Courage to Change, (helpful examples of how we interact with the disease and new tools to try.) and" Paths to Recovery" as well as' Opening our Hearts Transforming our Losses" - all available at meetings or on line
Hugs