Al-Anon and Alateen are support groups for family members or friends of alcoholics that incorporate the 12 steps. These programs are designed to provide a knowledge base and a support system to help families learn some basic principles about addiction being a family disease. The primary lesson taught is that families are not responsible for either another person’s disease or for their recovery.
There are some basic lessons that are taught within the Al-Anonon in Alateen programs:
- Don’t cover up for another persons actions are mistakes. It is their responsibility to handle them.
- Not to be victims or suffer because of the actions taken or reactions given of other people.
- Not to be ‘doing’ for other people what they should be, or could be doing for themselves.
- Not to be the instigator of a crisis.
- To realize that sometimes mistakes or crisis are the instruments of change, and sometimes it is best to just let them occur and get out of the way.
Whatever the major concepts taught at the idea of "detaching with love". This is essentially separating oneself from the effects and chaos of allowed ones drug or alcohol use, by taking a realistic and objective view of the situation. It is a very difficult thing to allow a loved one or family member to fall. But sometimes that’s how learning occurs.
There is an old saying that says sometimes it is possible to love one to death.
Through An Al-Anon Filter: Self-Obsession. – When I was new to Al-Anon, I found it rather puzzling that we were warned against self-obsession, while being told to practise the Steps, which require rigorous self-examination – what’s the difference? Either way, I’m thinking about …
Keep It Real – Since October 20 when I posted about my work in virtual Al Anon, I have attended several face to face meetings. I am truly grateful for doing so. My work in understanding the program has accelerated by virtue of being present in the …
