How Al-Anon Works for Families & Friends of Alcoholics by Al-Anon Family Groups(2009-09-22) Paperback

This book, "How Al-anon Works for Families & Friends of Alcoholics," is a terrific one for anyone who has been affected by the disease call "Alcoholism." There are parts of the book which explains what Alcoholism is as a disease and helps you get a clear perspective of how it affects you & other family members/love ones. It also helps you see the role you play in the family disease. Thus, helping you as it did for me, to utilize specific tools such as the Serenity Prayer,Slogans, Steps & others in this book to help you change any unhealthy attitudes/behaviors you may have as a result of being affected/growing up in this family disease. There are also real experiences/stories written by Al-anon members who have been affected by this disease of Alcoholism & whom also share the incredible hope & strength they gained as a result of being a member of Al-anonMainly, 'the part you play in the family disease of alcholism," as we learn from this book, is about taking alook at your own personal involvement in this family disease. In this way, you are able to recognize what you need to change. You may need to stop being a "fixer," trying to fix the alcoholic or other love ones and, instead, be "supportive." You may need to stop being the "enabler," or doing for the alcoholic and/or other love ones what they should be doing for themselves & allow learning from natural consequences. In making such changes(by "letting go"), you can help the alcoholic love one towards getting the help he or she needs. This does not mean in anyway that you stop caring about what happens to him or her but allow learning from natural consequences. You will learn not to fear, nag, scold or judge the alcoholic & others but to love more!Along with the awareness of the disease & changes of unhealthy attiudes & behavior,you will learn to keep the focus off the alcoholic especially & others & put the focus on taking care of yourself emotionally, mentally, physically & spiritually(The idea is that, once you take care of yourself along with having compassion for yourself, & in meeting your own needs, then you can be there for your alcoholic love ones or others in a healthy way!)You will learn what it means to "detach with love," which is separating yourself emotionally, mentally & sometimes physically to regain your sanity. You will learn,too,that you 'didn't cause', 'can't control,' nor can you "cure" your love one's alcoholism/problem drinking. You will learn to put the focus on yourself, pray or go on the strength of the other members, read the literature along with members at the face-to-face Al-anon family group meetings, get support from those you can relate to at the face to face/Alanon Family Group meetings). Once you keep coming back to meetings, you will see healthy/positive changes within yourself & you will keep coming back to learn more about How Alanon works to help you achieve serenity through the difficulties you may encounter personally, with your love ones(husbands,wives,children,etc.), your boss, neighbors who are struggling so deeply from the disease of alcoholism. I can personally say, "Yes," Al-anon has given me great serenity over the past five years because I kept coming back to meetings, reading the literature & forming healthy friendships in the program. It's a gentle program. You will be amaze by your own changes from inside out & those you walk beside. You may notice great changes first in yourself or others. So, I say keep reading this wonderful book, keep coming back, because the Al-anon program really works, 'cause you are worth it(the peace,contentment, serenity, love, & even happiness in your life!).I encourage you to go the meetings in your area(call the World Service Office# which is in the beginning of the book & you will be directed to meetings in your city/town/district. Once you go, bring this book with you or pick one up at the meeting & start reading & sharing if you like with others like me who've been affected by this insidious disease. You will see that you are not alone!It's been five years for me in the Al-Anon recovery program & it has changed my life & given me incredible peace. Only thing is, you've got to 'put the petal to the metal!' As in anything you pursue, if you want success in it, you have to put in the work! Al-anon works for me because I simply, put the work in! I looked everywhere to get help on how to cope with the great challenges/madness in my family. This program helped me recognized a generational disease I didn't know existed within my family tree. This generational disease called Alcoholism has robbed me of loving family relationships & has deluded my thinking of wanting to "save" everyone. Today,after gaining so much wisdom in the program,I continue to pray for my family, mind my own "mind" business,set boundaries,detach with love & keep reading my literature, coming to meetings(showing up for myself over & over again). This book/this program has taught me to love myself, to have compassion for myself first & then I am able to give the same to others. I still have problems in my life today(Of course, it's part of life)after being some years in the program; however,whenever I show up for myself at Al-anon recovery meetings, I always walk out at the end of the meetings with such peace of mind/serenity/wisdom. I really hope this helps someone! This program will change your life if you come and are ready to learn, change & grow! So, go ahead pick up the blue book,"HOW AL-ANON WORKS for Families & Friends of Alcoholics;it will be life-changing for you. I hope this helps! So, as we the members say, "Keep coming back,it works if you work it(program), so work it, you're worth it!" You are really worth it! When you come to the meetings, don't give up & leave it until 'the miracle happens.' They(miracles) have happened for me! I've never been so happy & so at peace since my pre-teen years; for this program allowed me & continues to help me achieve an indescribeable peace in these five years as an older adult. I thank God & his Universe for orchestrating it all for me! Thank you so much Al-anon!

I wish this was mandatory reading when I was in Jr High or High School. Either way, I am grateful for it now. Only wish I had it to point out to my childhood family how dysfunctional they were and why. Its true, you'll love it but more importantly go to the Al-Anon meeting, try it out. You may be pleasantly surprised that you wish you had this years prior. By all means gift this and donate to your local group, its a timeless message for individual healing and straight up truth for self help which is a huge industry in itself--start with this book

This is an excellent overview of Al-anon. It was recommended to me by a physician and is just what I needed to know to make a decision to join. Highly recommended for adult children (and families) of alcoholics.

Perfect condition!

I'm delighted to have received this used book with plenty of life left in it! Although the cover is a bit faded and scuffed, it adds to its charm. There was a lovely inscription for a woman who previously enjoyed this book, which makes it even more special. I love sharing knowledge, and books are a fantastic way to do that. I wish it was more common in our culture to appreciate a good used book. It's encouraging to see multiple names in a book; you know it's been valued and loved enough to be passed on. I don't understand why everyone insists on new books. Personally, I dislike a stiff spine. This book was perfectly preloved! Thank you!

The FIRST book for any person who has any relationship with a person who appears to have an addiction to alcohol.It will tell you, coping is not about changing the other person...and it may be a hard pill to swallow...but keep reading. You will see yourself on every page, and the shared experiences you read in this book, if you allow it to, will help you see you are not alone... and keep reading.Get your tissues, and get quiet and see if these stories are not relevant... and maybe even ask whatever 'Power' you believe in to give you the motivation to begin a new part of living.... Let the eons of experience and the hearts that have recovered from alcohol's effects begin to help you recover from what you're going through...In addition, I suggest reading it and only applying the experience to your own self. And finding an Al-Anon group to help you with the voluminous 'OMG's' you will have when reading this.

Love the ability to finally have this book at my fingertips whenever I need it. The text is inspiring and as with most of the Al-anon publications a must have for anyone who has a current, recovering, or deceased substance user or abuser that has affected their serenity.One severe drawback to using the digital version at a meeting, and following along with others who are reading from a paper version, it is about impossible to find the passage quick enough. There is no "original page number" reference in the digital text, so when someone says "i find the second paragraph on page 42 inspiring" ..... I have no way of finding page 42. Depending upon the device being used, and the font chosen, the Kindle page counter is of no use.

This is an excellent resource for anyone who is bothered by someone else's drinking (or drugs). I have a copy in book form but I also wanted a portable kindle version. It's one of my go-to books for keeping my life manageable.