They’re symptomatic of what families and friends of alcoholics are forced to cope with every day.
Since 1951, Al-Anon has served as a lifeline to millions of individuals who live in turmoil as a result of a loved one’s drinking problem.
“We see it as a family disease. Families and friends become obsessed with someone else’s drinking. Al-Anon helps them let go, and realize they’re powerless to change the situation,” said long-time member Suzanne, adding that what the program does is assist them in working through it, and come to terms with the chaos and fear they face.
“You discover how to restore your sanity,” said Suzanne, who grew up in an alcoholic household, and knows first-hand of the devastating effects of the disease.
The third week of November is Alcohol Awareness Week. Its purpose is to reach out to people and try to alleviate the feelings of alienation and helplessness that can dominate their lives.
The world-wide, non-denominational organization has over 24,000 Al-Anon and 2,300 Alateen groups in more than 115 countries.
“Each group has its own identity, and helps people find ways to function through a 12-step recovery program that is bases on that of Alcoholics Anonymous.
“It’s a spiritual program that lets them connect with others who know what they’re going through, and it can change lives dramatically by helping them understand that they didn’t cause, as well as can’t control or cure a loved one’s drinking,” she said.
Al-Anon has a series of websites and podcasts which can aid people in determining whether this invaluable community resource is for them.
Membership in Al-Anon is voluntary and there are no dues; anonymity is keynote to its success. Meetings are held regularly in the West Island. For more information, leave a message at 514-866-9803 or visit www.al-anon-alateen-qc.ca.
Al-Anon: helping people cope
Al-Anon: helping people cope
- Published on November 19th, 2008
- Published on Febuary 6th, 2010
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Hollie Watson
A sense of isolation. Anger. Despair.
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Comments
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- Delicia Stuart
- - February 10th, 2010 at 11:46:31
hi my name is delicia and i am 20 years old turning 21 this year .i have a drinking problem i would not say the drinking is the problem i would say the reasons i am doing it is the problem . i have tried too stop on my own and got it right for 4months oar so but got right back in it again and sins then i can't seems to stop.I do have parents they boyh are still alive but i have grown up in a diffrent inviroment then other kids i want to do this without my parents help and i need to this i have ruined my life up with this . It has come to that were i dont even care anymore i realise that i have too stop but just dont know how . I have tried talking to my dad a few years ago about this but i guess he did nuthing and i am still the same just hanging in there and hoping someone will come and tell me i know how you can geet out but it has not happen and i can wait any longer there is more to my story i excally know that once i am getting the help that i need i will be able to help others it's like i said i have a problem and i know what is causing it i just don't know how to stop it i crying out for help seeing my life go pass me like someone is running it makes crazy i want to start caring about what is gonne happen to me i want to start feeling good about myself there is so alote of things i want to start acknowledging that it and the fact that my mom is in a wheelchair i think i o this to her and to myself the people that has always pushed me away should live long enought to see yhe person i become and those i am gonne help here is aq contact number of me pleas 021-374 7785
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- Beth LaRocque
- - February 8th, 2010 at 11:14:56
Thank you, Hollie. This is an important article as we prepare for the holidays. In this time of stress, there are also Gam-anon communities, for those families and loved ones of compulsive gamblers; there are also DASA-SLAA [514-983-0671]and S-anon 12-step commmunities, for families and loved ones of compulsive sexaholics and socially, sexually, spiritually starved anorexics.
