The Story of Al-Anon
Founded in 1951, Al-Anon is a support organization for the friends and family
members of problem drinkers. Lois Wilson, also known as Lois W., founded Al-Anon
16 years after her husband founded Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Faced with the
difficulties of supporting a recovering alcoholic in her own life, she created an
organization for people like her.
Al-Anon is an organization self-supported through member donations. Meetings are
available to help family members and friends of alcoholics cope and better serve their
loved ones, even if their loved ones haven’t recovered. The key focus of Al-Anon is to
support members by letting them know they aren’t alone in their struggle.
Alcoholism as a Family Illness
Al-Anon treats the disease of alcoholism as a family illness, because it has a negative
impact on both the drinker and those around them. The friend and family support
system is integral to the alcoholic’s recovery. Some family members blame
themselves for their loved one’s drinking or may not understand why recovery is their
loved one’s priority. Meetings tackle these issues and help members understand
alcoholism as a family illness.
Alateen—Al-Anon Meetings for Teens
Al-Anon also has a specific group called Alateen catered to young people affected by
alcoholism in their family. These meetings allow young people to meet with others
their own age, making the experiences more relatable and beneficial.
What to Expect from a Meeting
Al-Anon meetings are for anyone who is affected by someone else’s drinking. If you
worry about someone’s drinking habit or if their lifestyle affects you personally, Al-
Anon can help you.
Some people are hesitant to go to their first meeting because they don’t know what to
expect. Some things to remember when considering attending a meeting:
Most importantly, Al-Anon is anonymous
Everyone in each meeting has been affected by alcoholism, whether personally
or through a family member
No one is required to speak or discuss their problem, although it is encouraged
There are different types of meetings. Some may be more productive for you
than others.
Al-Anon is not a religiously based organization
Meetings are centered on Al-Anon’s 12 Step program
Al-Anon meetings are conducted under a mantra that allows attendees to “take what
they like and leave the rest.” In this manner, meetings focus on sharing experiences
and hardships rather than telling attendees what they should do.
The 12 Steps of Al-Anon
Most meetings start with a reading of Al Anon’s 12 Step program. These steps are
adapted, nearly verbatim, from the 12 Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous. Much
like AA, Al-Anon members take on a sponsor who helps them work through the steps
and who is available for support in times of hardship. The steps are:
1. “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become
unmanageable.” —Members learn to accept alcoholism as a disease they cannot
control in others.
2. “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” —
Members often drive themselves to the brink by trying to change or control their loved
one. After admitting they are powerless, they learn to accept that they can be brought
back to sanity”
3. “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we
understood Him.” —Learning to let go is a key step to the program and acceptance.”
4. “Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.” —A huge part of the
steps is self-discovery, and this is the beginning of that. Attendees create a list of how
they may have wronged themselves or their loved ones (such as with threats).
5. “Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our
wrongs.” —This is an examination of each item in the member’s moral inventory,
allowing them to delve into each problem.
6. “Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.” —This
step is very important as it is the full acceptance of the recovery process supported by
a Higher Power.
7. “Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.” —This part of the 12 Steps
helps members understand how they may have been controlling or judgmental toward
an addict and how that is counterproductive.
8. “Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to
them all.” —Oftentimes, making amends starts with yourself. Many people blame
themselves for their loved one’s addiction. They must be willing to forgive
themselves and make amends.
9. “Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so
would injure them or others.” —After you are willing to make amends, the next step
is to take action.
10. “Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly
admitted it.” —Going through the 12 Steps is a process that takes time. Although
members have already made an inventory, slipping up is normal. Step 10 recognizes
this is an ongoing process.
11. “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with
God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the
power to carry that out.” —This is a personal, spiritual step that encompasses
acceptance and comfort amid the stress of recovery.
12. “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry
this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.” —The last
step is a realization that the member’s journey is not over. Members are then
encouraged to support other members with what they’ve learned.
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