Can anyone tell me about Al-anon??
Question: I am going to my first meeting, can anyone tell me what to expect?
Answers: Al-Anon is a wonderful group that can help people cope when they have loved one' s who are battling addictions. First of all, since it will be your first meeting, don't stress over trying to participate. Just sit back, relax and listen to some of the stories. Sometimes you will hear things that you will be able to relate to. Sometimes you will hear stories that will make you laugh and sometimes you will hear stories that will bring you to tears. All of this is therapeutic because it teaches you coping mechanisms and how to best deal with the stress of watching someone destroy their life because of addictive behavior. best wishes
You can expect to meet others who are struggling with a friend/family member with a powerful addiction. There will probably be a good bit of discussion about the 12 steps , the Big Book , and various treatment strategies. Folks tend to call each other on co-dependent behavior (you will hear a lot about this: listen up, too, b/c it's important).
I encourage you to attend the meeting with an open mind and with the best of expectations. Connecting with others who are navigating the dangerous waters of loved ones' addictions can be healing in and of itself.
Best of luck,
~M~
You can expect they as a group are pretty set in their way of thinking about what problems are and what they will think you should do. I wouldn't trust all the 'information' they lay on you. The organization has helped some and not others. Get information from other sourses and don't rely on just their agenda.
I attended one meeting and never went back. All I heard were horror stories about what everyone else's drunk family member was doing. Basically, they tell you that you have no control over someone else's drinking. They tell you that you should focus on yourself and ignore the drunk. They were no help to me at all. It is a support group, where people go to cry on the shoulders of others and whine about their problems. Living with an alcoholic is torture. The only solution is for the alcoholic to want to get help for himself. There is no peace for the person who chooses to live with an alcoholic. They will make your life miserable.
Answers: Al-Anon is a wonderful group that can help people cope when they have loved one' s who are battling addictions. First of all, since it will be your first meeting, don't stress over trying to participate. Just sit back, relax and listen to some of the stories. Sometimes you will hear things that you will be able to relate to. Sometimes you will hear stories that will make you laugh and sometimes you will hear stories that will bring you to tears. All of this is therapeutic because it teaches you coping mechanisms and how to best deal with the stress of watching someone destroy their life because of addictive behavior. best wishes
You can expect to meet others who are struggling with a friend/family member with a powerful addiction. There will probably be a good bit of discussion about the 12 steps , the Big Book , and various treatment strategies. Folks tend to call each other on co-dependent behavior (you will hear a lot about this: listen up, too, b/c it's important).
I encourage you to attend the meeting with an open mind and with the best of expectations. Connecting with others who are navigating the dangerous waters of loved ones' addictions can be healing in and of itself.
Best of luck,
~M~
You can expect they as a group are pretty set in their way of thinking about what problems are and what they will think you should do. I wouldn't trust all the 'information' they lay on you. The organization has helped some and not others. Get information from other sourses and don't rely on just their agenda.
I attended one meeting and never went back. All I heard were horror stories about what everyone else's drunk family member was doing. Basically, they tell you that you have no control over someone else's drinking. They tell you that you should focus on yourself and ignore the drunk. They were no help to me at all. It is a support group, where people go to cry on the shoulders of others and whine about their problems. Living with an alcoholic is torture. The only solution is for the alcoholic to want to get help for himself. There is no peace for the person who chooses to live with an alcoholic. They will make your life miserable.
More questions & answers:
- Can work lead to depression? Is that what's really bothering me?
- Victim, Gun and Perv? whats the outcome?
- Why do i have panic attacks when i read aloud?
- I am sorry.?
- What can I take to calm down? I really nervous for a date.?
- Why is it so easy for narcissists to get over relationship?..even long term?
- Why am i paranoid?
- What medications have been successful in treating adults with ADHD?
- Im adhd and I take my meds at 7:30 am and I need to sleep now becuze im going to work in the morning!?
- Thoughts are killing me...?
- Why do bad things happen to good people??
- What to do?