FAQs about Al-Anon
What is alcoholism?
Many leading medical authorities throughout the world recognise alcoholism as a chronic, progressive disease. We believe it is a family disease and that changed attitudes can aid recovery.
What is Al-Anon?
Al-Anon Family Groups is an organisation for the relatives and friends of alcoholics, who share their experience, strength and hope with each other in order to solve their common problems. Al-Anon has one purpose: to help the families and friends of alcoholics. Anonymity is an important principle of the Al-Anon programme.
What is the purpose of anonymity and how does it work?
We protect the individual’s anonymity by using first names. We protect each other’s confidentiality so that we can talk openly about our situation. We protect the anonymity of the alcoholic at all times.
How long has Al-Anon been in existence?
Al-Anon has been offering hope and help to the families and friends of alcoholics since 1951. There are over 24,000 groups worldwide.
Who can be a member of Al-Anon?
Anyone whose life is or has been deeply affected by someone else’s drinking.
Are the children in the family affected by alcoholism?
Yes. They experience many of the same feelings that adults do, including a sense of loss, confusion and guilt.
Helpline 020 7403 0888
When I discovered my lovely son had alcoholism, it broke my heart in two. All the other drinking in my life never took so much out of me. I seemed to be able to cope in the best way I could. But he found Alcoholics Anonymous nearly three years ago and I found Al-Anon. Before I went into Al-Anon, my life was all over the place, my head was like a washing machine, and every thought was about alcohol, and was my son going to die from this problem, or live.
Through Al-Anon, I have found peace, strength and hope for myself and my son. I love reading my books (Courage to Change, One Day at a Time) and saying the Serenity Prayer. When I am going through a bad time, I open a page at random and it usually brings me comfort.