The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
I am a recovering A with a very active A hubby. In reading my own AA material, I find tons of readings that would give comfort to Al Anon members. ( My opinion- They help me understand my A better & give me comfort & hope)
I would say yes, as far as I'm concerned because recovery comes from all resources available to us. To limit our recovery to just one resource essentially narrows our perception of what God offers us in this world. Ultimately, it is God that provides all of us with the necessary tools to cope during our trials and tribulation. If it weren't for Melody Beattie, The Language of Letting Go or Codependent No More, I would have never discovered Alanon so there you have it. :) One resource led me to another.
You may receive conflicting responses to your question and that is normal for some because some people need the structured program and cannot see any other way to cope. I, would just recommend that you allow them to express their views, but not take it personally. After all, this board is for all of us to be able to express our own individuality and what works for us specifically. As we respect others, they should reciprocate that respect for our thoughts and feelings if they are truly in recovery.
Take Care and never isolate yourself to one way in anything you do... What might work for you, may not work for someone else and vice versa.
At meetings, only alanon literature is allowed. On this board, as it is not a meeting, we seem to be OK with a wider variety of matierial. I have seen quotes from many different sources, and people have found them helpful.
Thank you both for your input. This is where my book fell open the other day.
Qote from AA Daily Reflection May 26.
TURNING NEGATIVE INTO POSITIVE
Our spiritual and emotional growth in AA ( I use Al Anon in here also) does not depend so deeply upon success as it does upon our failures & setback. If you will dear this in mind, I think that your slip will have the effect of licking you upstairs instead of down.
From " As Bill Sees it. Pg 184
In keeping with the pain and adversity which our founders encouraged and overcame in establishing A.A., Bill W. sent us a clear message: a relapse can provide a posative experiance otward abstinence and a life time of recovery. A relapse brings trith to what we hear repeatedly at meetings - : Don't take the first drink" It reinforces the belief in our progressive nature of the disease, it drives home the need for, and beauty of , humility in our spoiritual progress. Simple truths come in comlicated truths en I become ego drinen.
My interpretation for Al AAn. Aliiwhe let our old ways ot thinking in, habits for reacting instead of acting back in our lives. Someone who has " relapse " & posts about it teaches all of us something. Their hope & sterght to get back to their program gives us strenght& hope. " Don't take the first drink" to means as Debilyn put it so elequiently " get out the ducktape " We all need a roll or 2 at times when we want to scream at our A's. Listening to how others are progressing gives me strenght & hope too that should I " slip "",there is hope me too !!!
