Alcoholism is a disease that affects more than just the sufferer. Family and friends are also greatly affected when they have a loved one suffering from alcoholism. It may be difficult for them to determine the best course of action to take to support their loved one suffering from alcoholism, and they may be dealing with emotional wounds and problems related to their love one’s disease. Al-Anon is a program that utilizes the Twelve Steps of recovery to help those who have been affected by a loved one’s alcoholism. In their informational pamphlet Al-Anon, You, and the Alcoholic, Al-Anon explains that they are a “fellowship of wives, husbands, children, parents, other relatives, and friends of problem drinker. Members of these groups share their experience, strength, and hope with each other in order to solve their common problems—fear, insecurity, lack of understanding of themselves and the alcoholic, and damaged personal lives resulting from alcoholism and family illness.” Al-Anon offers a community of healing for those who have experienced the harms caused by living with a person suffering from alcoholism. The focus of Al-Anon is to use the Twelve Steps of recovery as a way to improve the lives of those close to a person suffering from alcoholism. Al-Anon explains, “By attending Al-Anon meetings and applying the Twelve Steps of recovery adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) to their personal lives, many have found the help they need to deal with the effects of living with or having lived with the alcoholism of another. Reading Al-Anon books and pamphlets and sharing with other Al-Anon members helps to develop an understanding of alcoholism and the effects it has on those close to the drinker. Al-Anon member recognize their powerlessness over the disease of alcoholism and focus instead on physically, emotionally, and spiritually improving their own lives.” Recovery is not solely about the healing of the individual suffering from alcoholism, but also about the healing of all those around him or her who have been affected by their drinking. Al-Anon is not meant to show individuals how to stop their loved one from drinking, rather it allows them to connect with a community dedicated to healing themselves from the damage caused by living with or being close with someone suffering from alcoholism.
Alcoholism is a story that can be changed. Recovery is possible. Oceanfront Recovery, located in beautiful Laguna Beach, offers a variety of innovative and highly effective treatment options, including a family program dedicated to educating and supporting family and friends who have been impacted by addiction and alcoholism. If you or a loved one is suffering from addiction or alcoholism, please call today: (877) 279-1777
