Personal Stories

Our Differences Weave One Tapestry As a child, I thought of my differences from others as something that made me special. No one else I knew lived in a single-parent home or moved and changed schools every year. As I grew, I tried to learn from others how to fit in. I saw that having a partner was a popular thing. I thought alcoholism entered my life when my partner did. But when I finally found Al‑Anon, I learned that…

Comfort in a Rough Place “You are in a rough place right now,” my Sponsor said as we walked together before our meeting. I had asked him to meet me 30 minutes early to help me find some firm ground. My brother had died four days earlier, and my partner was spiraling into a drunken bottom of her own. Violence and chaos dominated my home life. Neither I nor my son felt safe in our home. I just wanted space…

By the Grace of God and with the help of Al-anon programme, i am living a happy, comfortable and peaceful life. I came to Al-anon 15 years back and at that time, there were only a few Al-anon groups in my District. That is Malappuram District in Kerala. But I started attending Al-anon meetings, wherever i could, started reading Al-anon literature, and focused only on my recovery . Earlier, i was always focusing on my alcoholic and being worried about…

Adhering to Policies without Policing The introduction to the “Digest of Al‑Anon and Alateen Policies,” the second section of the 2022–2025 Al‑Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27) v3, states, “The ‘Digest of Al‑Anon and Alateen Policies’ reflects policy statements that grew out of questions and experiences from the Al‑Anon fellowship worldwide. They are interpretations of our basic guides, the Twelve Traditions and the Twelve Concepts of Service.” Policies offer consistency when members or groups seek clarification on matters relating to the Al‑Anon fellowship. Before a policy is adopted or…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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…

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…