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.
Hello! I've just found this board and am hoping for some advice. My partner is an alcoholic but has been in AA and sober for 3 years. I didn't know him when he was still drinking. However, I really want to understand where he's coming from, his struggles, be able to support him, etc etc, and it was suggested by a mutual friend (also in AA) that I attend an al-anon meeting.
I feel like a bit of an intruder going to a meeting because I was never with him when he was drinking. I haven't been through the same things with my partner that other people at the meetings will have gone through.
Is al-anon a place that will welcome me? Or should I try to find ways to support and understand him elsewhere? Any advice would be appreciated! Also, if you were at a meeting that I went to, would you feel like I shouldn't be there? Thank you!
You should go, you are certainly welcome there! There are many just like you there, their partners are sober, but they are still A's & still have the traits. You will still identify with some of the stories & situations you will hear mentioned. You will identify much more than you are exspecting too.
Glad you found this board & I hope you checkout a meeting soon!
I would definitely recommend a face to face (f2f) Al-anon meeting. I think the best place to learn the program and get a sponsor are from f2f meetings. However there is a lot to be said about posting on the message board, good feedback here. Also, if you would like there are on-line meetings in the chat room every day, one at 9 a.m. E.S.T. and one at 9 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Saturday there is a 10 a.m. meeting and a 9 p.m. meeting. Sunday mornings there is a Spiritual meeting at 10 a.m. and a evening meeting at 7 p.m., all times are E.S.T. Thursday evenings are Step/Tradition meetings and Saturday evenings are newcomer meetings. Please join us! I was supposed to chair tonight, but haven't had anyone come in, so if you'd like to chat i'm in the chat/meeting room. Be glad to discuss it with you.
Keep coming back!
Overcome
__________________
I can Overcome all things through my HP who strengthens me.
I am convinced that this would be a much better world if everyone lived by the principles of the 12 steps. Maybe it's the circles I run in, but I have yet to meet anyone that hasn't been affected by there own drinking or someone elses.
I have only been to two different meetings, and they were both a little different. I am told that you should try at least 6 different groups to find the right fit. Both of the groups that I have met with were very welcoming. Keep coming back here. I can't tell you how many posts I have read and thought "I could have wrote that."
Al-Anon is for the family, friends and associates of Alcoholics who have been affected by that someone elses drinking. You haven't seen him drink or get drunk however you have heard the suggestion that you get into the face to face meetings for a very good reason...Alcoholics and the people they affect are not "normal" normal people they are normally "abnormal" people...mind, body, spirit and emotions. In order for me to be able to understand that and then be able to be around one or more at anyone time without loosing my peace of mind and serenity...I needed to be in the face to face program of Al-Anon. Go with an open mind...sit down and listen...learn and then keep going back for the next 90 days. Don't do it for him...do it for yourself. Learn as much as you can about alcoholism so that you can understand as near exactly what you have made a conscious decision to do. Keep coming back here also. In support ((((hugs))))
Thanks everyone for such helpful replies! There's a mtg happening near my home tonight so I think I'm going to try to check it out. The only thing stopping me is nerves!! Also, I don't want to give up trying different meetings if I don't like this one. Will all the meetings have a different feeling/focus?
And Overcome - thank you!! I will try to go to one of the online meetings! I'm on the west coast so may not be home in time to attend. Is it okay to "walk in" late?
-- Edited by rainlax on Sunday 24th of February 2013 12:56:16 PM
