Personal Stories

It takes courage to write with complete honesty—but finding that courage is a step forward toward recovery, for you as well as for those who read your sharing. You don’t have to be a professional writer. Find the guidelines for submitting your personal stories here.

Spiritual Principles

What, Exactly, Are Al‑Anon’s Spiritual Principles? Early in my recovery, I’d hear members mention “the principles” in meetings. I would see references to “spiritual principles” in our Conference Approved Literature (CAL). I noticed that the Twelfth Step guides us to “practice these principles.” While members in my groups shared freely, I couldn’t seem to understand that there might be an underlying theme to each Legacy that could be considered a “principle.” What were these principles and where could I find…

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I’m Putting My Son in Your Care

I’ve thought about my relationship with my Higher Power and my relationship with my son. Here’s what I think my Higher Power would say to me: Shelley, You want to hear from Me about letting your son go. You are not abandoning him, as much as it may feel like it. You are simply transferring his wellbeing from your care to Mine. It was never My intention for you to direct, guide, and control his life. That is My role.…

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The Importance of Newcomers!

As an Al‑Anon member, I am always grateful when a new face enters the room. Whether it is someone’s very first Al‑Anon meeting, someone visiting from out of town, or a student completing an assignment for school, I get excited. This is an opportunity for the group to share the message of hope that Al‑Anon offers to anyone affected by someone else’s drinking. It gets me thinking…when was the last time a newcomer came to the meeting? Our Traditions are…

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Have You Heard..

Have You Heard the One About the Mom, the Minister, and the Alcoholic’s Wife? In a drunken rage, my husband pointed the gun at me this time. I was so distressed. What would happen to me next time? I was so scared! After he passed out, I packed my suitcase and left. I told my parents about what happened and asked if I could visit for the upcoming weekend. They said yes. My mom set up an appointment with her…

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The Difference a Year Makes

This time last year, my life was unmanageable despite my alcoholic relative having almost two years of sobriety and being active in recovery. I was filled with anger, resentment, and confusion. I tried at all costs to bring about outcomes that I thought were best. I was operating on Jonathan’s power. As I’ve heard, “our best thinking” gets us to Al‑Anon, and that was true for me. My low point was when I imagined receiving the family newsletter from my…

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Carrying Al-Anon’s Message of Hope

Next month, many people across the United States and Canada turn their focus to the world of recovery. It’s a unique opportunity to shine a bit of the spotlight on Al‑Anon recovery. As our loved ones are either living with active alcoholism or living in sobriety, we owe it to ourselves to celebrate our own serenity. Before Al‑Anon, I didn’t truly understand this serenity thing. The Serenity Prayer was just something we said at meetings but remained a mystery to…

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No Longer in Anger

(Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters., Inc., Virginia Beach, VA) From The Forum, August 2019 Truth was hard to come by in my family. Growing up with a disabled and moody dad with chronic pain and lots of health problems was not the easiest experience for a young kid. What made it worse was that we never talked about it or admitted that it was frustrating and upsetting to live with those challenges. As a family,…

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I Found Support In That Room

(Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters., Inc., Virginia Beach, VA) From The Forum, August 2019 I met the alcoholic in my life through online dating. Though I felt that I was okay with social drinking, I learned that there is no such thing as social drinking to an alcoholic. My partner was in A.A., but was a binge drinker. When he wasn’t drinking, he was kind, loving, and respectful—all the traits I wanted in a partner.…

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Right Where I Belong

(Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters., Inc., Virginia Beach, VA) From The Forum, August 2019 The first Al-Anon meeting I attended was not for me—or so I thought. I was accompanying a friend who was looking for answers about her alcoholic loved one. I was immediately welcomed by the women and men there, and I noticed that they were all smiling and laughing. I felt comfortable before the meeting even started. As we all took turns…

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Joy – looking in the mirror

Joy : Looking in the mirror. It is a great joy for me today to see all of you in such a cheerful mood at this event of the anniversary of “Muskan” Alanon Family Group in Patel Nagar. During the peak time of alcoholism in my life, I used to enjoy little things that required very little or even no money. In the evening after coming from the office I used to take my two children to play in the…

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Would you like to share your story? See guidelines for submitting your personal story here.

Any individual can join Al-Anon if he or she is troubled by another person’s drinking.
If you are unfamiliar with Al-Anon and are wondering whether Al-Anon might be helpful for you take a look at our ‘Is Al-Anon for You?’ page.
This is the official website of Al-Anon/Alateen Family Groups of India.