The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
I really want to go to an Alanon meeting tomorrow. It's very close by. My biggest fear is that I will see someone I know there. I'm very active with my church, and with children's ministries. Can I trust that these meetings are truly anonymous? I know I need to go, and I'm feeling drawn to it.
I know exactly how you feel. I am new to it also. My first meeting I felt the same way, but they are truely anonymous and you feel a peace of mind knowing that everyone there is for the same reason, we have an alcoholic or addict that we love and care about that are affecting us. You are feeling drawn to it because YOU need to go. I have done so much to make sure everyone else was "happy" i forgot about me. Don't let fear of others who are in the same spot you are make you not go. It's nothing to be ashamed about...you are helping yourself, and walk in the meeting feeling proud that you did it for you!
Remember that everyone is there for the same reason. Everyone there wants it anonymous as much as you do. No one is going to say, "Hey did you knwo Annie has an alcoholic in her family? I know because I saw her at an Al Anon meeting and I have one in my family too." It's not something that you broadcast out there on the evening news or anything. You will be fine.
Annie I hope you can get past the scared feelings and do what is right for you. Since the day I was asked to start an Al-Anon group at my church I have not hidden the fact that my son was an alcoholic/addict. Yes, was is the important word there. He passed away suddenly this past July but without Al-Anon I would have never made it through those days or for that matter the days now. Addiction is the only disease that the world will scream at our loved ones for having. I cannot look down on an addict any more than I can my mother who has Alzheimer's. They are both diseases that can be somewhat controled but never cured. In the nearly 10 years I have never had to speak to anyone about violating someone's Anonymity. When we get honest with ourselves and others we find that it speaks to those that have hidden the addiction in a closet and in some cases gives them the power to find help in Al-Anon for themselves.
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Everything I have ever let go of has claw marks all over it.
There is always that issue. It says in the literature that anonymity is that key to our recovery. What happened for me in going to meetings in a small town was that others found strength to address their issues either AA or Alanon.
Aloha Annie...welcome to the board and you have every reason to go and trust the oldtimers who will be there to greet you...they know the program and the importance of our traditions which is what NMike referred to. You might hear what I heard early on when I got into the program which was the simple reference to our 12 steps..."Trust God, Clean House and Help Others"...sounds like you have experience there already. First 3 steps is Trust God... You said, " I know I need to go, and I'm feeling drawn to it. " Leave the house trusting God.
Keep coming back and let us know how it came out for you...We share experiences and would love to hear yours. (((((hugs)))))
Ugh! Our weather was so bad on Saturday again. I did not go. It was so treacherous. So, I planned on going last night, and then my son became ill, so I stayed home for him. The most wonderful thing is...my husband has been going to his AA meetings, and he feels so good. I still know that I need to go for "me". As someone else noted, for such a long time, I have put everyone else's needs in front of my own. I know that I need to get to a F2F meeting soon. I need to know there are others like me...people I can confide in and find support through. Thank you for your words of support here.
