On the advice of my therapist I started going to al-anon. I never tried going before because I mistakenly assumed it was only for people whose parents are, or were, alcoholics. She explained to me that in fact it is for anyone who grew up in a very dysfucntional environment and who needs to learn the skills to be a happy, functioning adult. My father was a workaolic which was very painful and my mother just neglected us all together so I had no love or support from her either but now, thanks to al-anon I am learning HOW to support myself and HOW to have boundaries and loving relationship with other human beings.

I have a LONG way to go but I just wanted to say THANK YOU for this program. I'm 41 years old, I have no family, no real friends and no career prospects. I am literally starting completely over. If I did not have "The Rooms" to turn to right now, I honestly don't think I could make it. I think I would've found the highest building and jumped. I am SO grateful for this program!

Thank you!

I absolutely agree and humorously I didn't need to find the highest building all I needed was the first 12 steps up.   LOL...  I came into Al-Anon with a plan toward a 3rd suicide attempt.  I had the insanity part down right and I had the plan...what I didn't know I had to do first was to add to the plan (like you) and add on Al-Anon...that was HP's suggestion and direction cause I didn't have a counselor yet who was more knowledgeable than myself (lol).  So I get into Al-Anon...sit down, listen with an open mind, learn what others are doing that works for them, practice practice practice that and then I find out that suicide isn't about ending your life...a successful suicide is learning how to change how you live it.   I love your version also shunned we have very close similarities in past life and direct similarities in today.   Thanks for the share...please keep coming back.  (((((hugs)))))