FAQs: Does someome's drinking bother you?
What is the difference between a heavy drinker and an alcoholic?
If in your opinion someone's drinking is troubling you and affecting your relationship, it's important to prioritize your own well-being first. Even if they believe they don't have a problem, listening to a speaker at an open Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, may provide valuable insights and help you understand the nature of the disease and cope better.
Finding accurate information on addiction and medical help is key.
Where can I get help? I'm afraid of what could happen to them.
There are a few things to do now. Visit Al-Anon's web site at the link below to access valuable Al-Anon resources. Then, find a meeting near you or online. We believe you will feel better when you walk out of the meeting, as you will know that you are not alone in this journey. Don't worry about not knowing how to act or what to say; there are millions of people just like you. Life with an active alcoholic can feel like a pressure cooker. It's time to open the release valve now. It takes courage, but you can do it. Remember, family support groups are here to help, just like Alcoholics Anonymous provides support for individuals struggling with addiction.
How does this program work?
Why do they lie so much? I want to trust them, but I feel I can't. This is very confusing.
How can I help them quit drinking?
Why do they lie so much? I want to trust them, but I feel I can't. This is very confusing.
Why do they lie so much? I want to trust them, but I feel I can't. This is very confusing.
They promised they wouldn't drink again, and I believed them because I really needed to believe them. Alcoholism is a disease of relationships and a progressive illness. Their life may increasingly become isolated, focused on that next drink and how to drink guilt-free. Many people want to stop drinking but cannot manage that on their own. Hitting bottom means someone admits they have a problem and needs help to stop drinking, and they surrender. They get sick and tired of being sick and tired. It is when the desire to stop drinking finally exceeds the desire to drink. Many find support through Alcoholics Anonymous, which has a 42% success rate. Additionally, there are Al-Anon resources available for family members seeking support. Find an open AA meeting near you or online; open meetings are noted as such and anyone can attend one.
What does it mean to work the 12 steps?
Step work involves reading through the steps and reflecting on what each one means personally. This process helps you learn how to be healthier emotionally, mentally, and physically. The 12 steps guide us in examining our attitudes and reactions towards addictions, making them fundamental in resources like Al-Anon and Alcoholics Anonymous. Additionally, finding a sponsor can turbo charge your recovery, enhancing the support you receive from family support groups.
If I talk to them about their drinking, they get so angry. They deny that they have a problem.
Denial plays a huge part in this disease, making it difficult to watch a loved one's life spiral downward. This cunning and baffling disease impacts all aspects of their life. Al-Anon resources and family support groups can help untangle the puzzle of this disease.
FAQs: How to Find Addiction Support
What are 12 step meetings like? Well, they are not all that scary. We are just like you and found it really helps to talk to someone who understands! If you don't want to talk, just come and listen. Meetings are free. In time, the members will come to feel like family.
For those seeking support in dealing with the challenges of addiction, Al-Anon resources offer valuable guidance for families affected by someone else's drinking. Many individuals find that combining Al-Anon with Alcoholics Anonymous creates a robust support system. Family support groups play a crucial role in helping loved ones navigate their feelings and experiences, fostering a sense of community and understanding.
I thought the 12 steps of AA were for addicts. How do the 12 steps help a family member?
We use the 12 steps of Al-Anon to navigate the process of learning about addictions and how to address them. Oddly enough, we can apply the 12 steps to our own journey of recovery because this is a family disease. Al-Anon and Alateen together form Al-Anon Family Groups (AFG), which primarily aim to help families of alcoholics. You have the freedom to choose your own Higher Power and develop a strategy for your recovery program. Each group operates independently, with some focusing on one step a month, while others engage in topical discussions on issues like fear, anger, control, resentment, and powerlessness. Where should you specifically start?
You might consider beginning with a slogan like One Day at a Time or Easy Does It, or you can start with step one. We have Al-Anon resources available to help you get started. You can find our literature in the Al-Anon Store.
Another important step is to find an Al-Anon sponsor. A sponsor acts as a blend of a friend and a life coach, providing support as you navigate the effects of someone else's addiction. Attend a few meetings in your area and listen to the insights of more experienced members. When you find someone whose words resonate with you, consider asking them to sponsor you for six months. Don't be discouraged if your first choice declines; it reflects their current capacity to help you, it is not a rejection of you. Often a 90 day limit to the sponsorship may make the commitment to be a sponsor less intimidating.
Often, the group's phone list will indicate who is open to sponsoring, so don't hesitate to ask for the list. If there’s no recent phone list for your group, consider starting one. "Let it begin with me" is one of our guiding slogans.
If you are going to walk through a minefield, be wise enough to follow someone! Leverage the recovery work of others by listening to their stories and seeking a sponsor. A sponsor is someone with whom you can share personal circumstances, allowing you to receive guidance on which steps or slogans to focus on. It’s common in Al-Anon for people to informally sponsor each other, which can save you time and frustration since they’ve navigated this minefield before.
I was recently asked by a newcomer, "What is meant by the principles of this program? I understand the 12 steps and the 12 traditions, but to what 'principles' does the Al-Anon literature refer?" She thought it was a silly question, but it was actually insightful. She was looking to build a comprehensive understanding of recovery, enabling her to devise a learning strategy. I explained that the steps, traditions, and concepts together represent the three legacies of recovery, which is why the AFG logo features a triangle. Altogether, these legacies, along with the meetings (both in person and online), literature, slogans, and the partnership with a Higher Power and sponsor, form the foundational principles of the Al-Anon program. They create a holistic strategy for coping and recovering.
We work steps 1, 2, and 3 to comprehend the disease of addiction, seek hope for help, and connect with resources. We then focus on steps 4, 5, and 6 to gain self-awareness, cultivate peace, and understand how the proximity of the disease has impacted us as individuals and as a family.
How do I get started?
The first step is to find a meeting near you, whether it's an Al-Anon resources meeting or an Alcoholics Anonymous session. Attending a meeting online or in person will help you release some of the pressure, allowing you to breathe again. Remember, you are not alone, and there are family support groups available to help you.