TRADITIONS AS A GUIDE TO HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

It is said that the unity of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon is the most cherished quality our fellowships
have. Our lives, the lives of all to come depend squarely upon it. The practice of our 12 steps puts our lives in
order, but not necessarily our relationships. How to live successfully with others can be found within our
Traditions. They are in reality, guidelines for our behavior.

Unfortunately, many times in our fellowships, we find members who are getting healthy and their partners are
getting healthy, but their relationships are far from healthy. Getting well does not necessarily mean that you
will be able to retain all your relationships. However, if the use and application of the 12 Traditions are used in
the relationships, they can also become healthy, "providing" both partners make unity the most important part of
the relationship. This same principle can be used in any relationships, i.e., marriage, friends, relatives, in the
workplace, shopping, driving, literally wherever we come into contact with others.

The following material is a result of studying these Traditions in relation to having a healthy marriage or
relationship and discussions held one on one and in groups over the last several years.

You will not that we have re-worded the Traditions while retaining the principles in order to adapt them to
relationships. The ideas and principles contained herein have been tested in our homes and in our relationships
and found to work - when we work them. We hope they will work for you too.

Note: This material may be reproduced for the personal use of any member of Al-Anon or Alcoholics
Anonymous but may not be reproduced for sale or profit. This is not Conference Approved Literature.

Courtesy of Houston Al-Anon Intergroup - Revised 3/89

(pdf attached)