Perhaps you’re wondering; “does the al-anon program really work?” Yes! When you first start attending meetings it is suggested that you give the program a try for at least six meetings. The way that this whole system works is beyond my comprehension, but all I know is that after being in the program for several years, I have changed for the better.
My life used to be one obsession after another; always worrying about what the alcoholic was doing or trying to figure out what they were planning to do next. It wasn’t’ until I began attending meetings regularly that I realized that the Al-anon family group meetings really help.
Most people who are living with active alcoholism in their lives come into the program totally divested by the affects of alcoholism. They are hurt, lonely, frustrated and very angry. Usually, within a few minutes of the first meeting, the new person realizes that they people they are surrounded by in the room are dealing with the same issues that they are faced with every day. This is the beginning of not feeling lonely anymore. Friendships begin to develop within the coming weeks of attending meetings regularly that will last a lifetime.
The Al-anon family program works wonders. All you have to do is give it a chance and stick with it for a while. In our society we want things to be finished right away. We must understand that we did not get into the mess that we are entangled in over night and it’s going to take time to unravel the mess.
Here is what generally happens, people begin to actually laugh and enjoy life again after attending the Al-anon program for a while. What happens is that we begin to get our focus off of the person drinking alcohol in our lives and begin to focus on living our life again. We learn how to let the alcoholic go and how to trust God. We actually stop obsessing over an alcoholic all of the time.
The Al-anon program does work. One of the closing statements that we often make in the meetings says; “keep coming back-it works if you work it.” Living with the affects of problem drinkers is just too much for anyone to handle on their own. If you are considering attending an Al anon meeting, I say; “go for it.” I can assure you that this will be one of the best decisions that you will ever make in your life.
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