Materials for family members to read to help understand alcoholism?
MDA said
Apr 3, 2021
Greetings everyone.
I have a situation on my hands that I need to be able to help our family understand alcoholism.
We have a loved one in our family who has been a closet drinker for the last decade. Over the past three years it has spun out of control. Late last year it was no longer able to be kept under wraps. She is now in a facility for 30 days in an attempt to help her understand and help her with her disease.
I am needing to be able to give others in the family something to read and to help them understand the illness, this situation, etc.
Is anyone able to provide me titles of any good books that I could purchase and provide to our family?
Thank you so much.
DavidG said
Apr 3, 2021
Hi MDA.
Alcoholism is an illness- like any other kind of illness.
For starters- this is a break-down of what Alanon is about... .
[https://robertstclinic.co.nz/al-anon/]
Debb said
Apr 3, 2021
MDA, welcome to MIP and happy you found us and for your concerns and question.
This link will be helpful in the US to locate local chapters in your area.
I commend you for seeking information on behalf of your family members.
Please let us know if you need anything else!
Iamhere said
Apr 4, 2021
Welcome to MIP MDA - glad you found us and glad that you shared. If your loved one is in a treatment center, most likely they will be exposed to The Big Book of AA. Within this 'bible' for AA is an entire (short chapter) about Families - Chapter 9. Here's a link: www.aa.org/assets/en_us/en_bigbook_chapt9.pdf
It was written more than 75 years ago, so is certainly not 'modern' in text yet applies to this day.
The official Al-Anon website also has a variety of different helpful articles for family and friends of the A (Alcoholic).
What's suggested in a summary - Alcoholism is a family disease, for which there is truly no cure but recovery is possible if one wants it. AA is one recovery system for the A and Al-Anon is for Friends & Family of an A. Both programs suggest each person focus on self, take a look at how the disease has affected them and support in the form of groups/member who share ESH (Experience, Strength & Hope) vs. advice, direction, etc.
Recovery is a personal journey in a group setting. Alcoholism is considered a family disease simply because almost every family member is affected in some way. I've always related to the 'Merry-Go-Round Named Denial' as it seems to summarize much of my experience:
I hope you keep coming back - there is always hope and help in recovery!!
Lyne said
Apr 5, 2021
I also want to welcome you MDA to our message board. Along with my going to meetings, reading, and having a sponsor, reading and writing on this board helps me enormously. Here I find people from all ages and all walks of life, who understand my situation and offer their experience, strength and hope to help me through a very difficult situation. The insanity of this disease can be quieted inside my head with all the support I receive in alanon.
Maresie888 said
Apr 5, 2021
Welcome to this board. I believe rehab us one of the g as orders steps for many of is to negotiate
I would recommend books in the Hazelton series. I would also recommend going to The Meadows site. The Meadows in Arizona is one of the premier rehab facilities
Then I would high recommend getting a book Getting them sober
There is of course an enormous amount of literature out there. I hope your family manage to find pieces that assist you.
Breakingfree said
Apr 16, 2021
The book Getting Them Sober by Toby Rice Drews was a game changer for me. The 3 daily readers also help me a lot. There are so many books really, but these were my early on go tos! Sending you love and support on your journey!
Greetings everyone.
I have a situation on my hands that I need to be able to help our family understand alcoholism.
We have a loved one in our family who has been a closet drinker for the last decade. Over the past three years it has spun out of control. Late last year it was no longer able to be kept under wraps. She is now in a facility for 30 days in an attempt to help her understand and help her with her disease.
I am needing to be able to give others in the family something to read and to help them understand the illness, this situation, etc.
Is anyone able to provide me titles of any good books that I could purchase and provide to our family?
Thank you so much.
Hi MDA.
Alcoholism is an illness- like any other kind of illness.
For starters- this is a break-down of what Alanon is about...
.
[https://robertstclinic.co.nz/al-anon/]
This link will be helpful in the US to locate local chapters in your area.
al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/electronic-meetings/
We all read Al-Anon approved literature:
al-anon.org/for-members/members-resources/literature/feature-publications/
I commend you for seeking information on behalf of your family members.
Please let us know if you need anything else!
It was written more than 75 years ago, so is certainly not 'modern' in text yet applies to this day.
The official Al-Anon website also has a variety of different helpful articles for family and friends of the A (Alcoholic).
What's suggested in a summary - Alcoholism is a family disease, for which there is truly no cure but recovery is possible if one wants it. AA is one recovery system for the A and Al-Anon is for Friends & Family of an A. Both programs suggest each person focus on self, take a look at how the disease has affected them and support in the form of groups/member who share ESH (Experience, Strength & Hope) vs. advice, direction, etc.
Recovery is a personal journey in a group setting. Alcoholism is considered a family disease simply because almost every family member is affected in some way. I've always related to the 'Merry-Go-Round Named Denial' as it seems to summarize much of my experience:
www.morethanrecovery.com/blog/212-a-merry-go-round-named-denial.html
I hope you keep coming back - there is always hope and help in recovery!!
Welcome to this board. I believe rehab us one of the g as orders steps for many of is to negotiate
I would recommend books in the Hazelton series. I would also recommend going to The Meadows site. The Meadows in Arizona is one of the premier rehab facilities
Then I would high recommend getting a book Getting them sober
There is of course an enormous amount of literature out there. I hope your family manage to find pieces that assist you.