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.
Question: Are the ideals of the Al Anon program in book form for the general population, but not specifically for recovery? I wish the program was available in a general life skills format so more people would use it, think about their relationships with themselves, family, friends, teachers, employers, etc. and be able to stop themselves from getting into codependent behaviors.
Spur Alanon's Traditions state "the only requirement for membership is that there be a problem of alcoholism in a relative or friend." I truly believe that there is not a person on this planet that does not have a friend or relative that has a problem with alcoholism--- so technically anyone can quality.
The problem, as I see it is, that the 12 Step Programs are not an easy road to follow and that few will remain unless they are in great pain and have no where else to go .
I do believe that the principles and philosophy of Al-Anon can be found in many religions and spiritual practices worldwide.
I understand the desire to give the whole world Alanon. I think its a sign of your progressing because you want everyone to have what you have.
I must admit, I took it further and tried to shove it down a few peoples throats. My son got so sick of me he said 'is that you going to Alanon and on and on' because I went on so much. I also gave my anonymity away to a couple of friends from work going through a hard time because I gave out the 'Just for Today' card to them. My whole family also has these cards. I bought and gave away a couple of ODDATs too. I think I also put a few peoples backs up though in my relentlessness and insistence that they needed the program, lol. Wow, i think ive been a right pain in the backside when I think about it.lol. Ive calmed down now and I try not to preach too much if I can help it but I have got complete 100% faith in this philosophy, its changed my life but not everyone is ready for it or wants it. I found that hard to accept.
Thanks for your responses everyone. My thinking is coming from the realm of generic self help books that are out there. The ones I read never really helped me and I've grown up a practicing Christian and I've read the Bible a few times in my years but I never got out of Church, Sunday school or Confirmation what I've gotten from the Al Anon literature.
Perhaps recovery is the key, afterall, and until we're floundering in life our minds aren't open to the same concepts and language. Shame really. We have DARE and sex education in the 5th grade, too bad we can't also have a codependency education program too.
DARE is an anti drug/alcohol program in the public schools in the US.
I have seen principles that are the same as Al-Anon is a lot of popular books, but not put all together in quite the same way as Al-Anon does it. The one that seemed most like Al-Anon is the books by Harriet Lerner ("The Dance of Anger" etc.) She talks a lot about boundaries, which were a revelation to me. "How to Break Your Addiction to a Person" (Howard Halpern) also seemed to have a lot of the same advice as Al-Anon gives. (Don't know if I should be mentioning non-official literature on here - excuse me if not.) The problem is that people need to see that they have a big problem before they start reading. Usually that means they need a crisis to make them interested. That was certainly the case for me. In short, I think the same principles are out there, but to find them you'd have to read widely. The principles are one part - another of course is the support and fellowship to follow through.
I can't really answer your question, but I agree with you. I have been reading "codependent no more" and it has been an eye opening book :) I'm learning more about how messed up I am every day! Lol
