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 just started attending Al Anon meeting a few weeks ago and I've been reading "Hope for Today". I find it very helpful and insightful, even calming, but I need something to read to help me get started in the program. I don't have a sponsor yet so I'm hoping to get some tips for a good first book to read. I have read "The Dilemma of the Alcoholic Marriage" and that was incredibly helpful. Now I need something to help me on my path to the 1st step and getting involved in the program. I'm hoping to find something that will help me continue to focus on myself and let my higher power sort out my alcoholic husband!
Hi HITM, welcome So glad to hear that you are reaching out and off to a great start. Attending meetings, reading CAL (AlAnon conference approved literature), and working the steps with a sponsor is the foundation of recovery. Good for you!
I have found daily readings incredibly helpful in my continued recovery, and start every morning with the corresponding pages in Hope, Courage to Change (C2C) , and One Day at a Time in AlAnon (ODAT). There is a lot of power in these as they offer a program perspective in a manageable bite. The indexes in the back are great if we are struggling with a particular topic.
I also found Paths to Recovery - AlAnon Steps, Traditions and Concepts extremely helpful as it provides guidance and probing questions that help me make application of program wisdom in my life. This book is helpful when participating in the Step Work section of this site, a great way to get started.
Others will have recommendations to add, there are many to choose from, all of them are helpful. The important thing is to dig in, and you are, bravo! Good things happen when we put in the effort. So glad you are here, I look forward to sharing the journey of recovery with you
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Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
I agree with Paul's suggestions. I found that:" How Alanon Works," "When I Got Busy I Got Better", "Paths to Recovery" and the small bookmark "Just for Today" very important tools in my recovery journey.
Welcome! You sound excited to begin working the steps. Members have suggested some great Alanon conference approved literature. One of the nice thing about the Paths to Recovery book is that it offers Alanon members experience, strength and hope about each Alanon step. There are also questions related to each step that you can answer. The questions are self reflective. For me, answering them brought insights about myself. Discussing them with my sponsor, brought hope.
I recommend Alanon's book As We Understood. It's an uplifting read. Each chapter has an overview of a particular tenet of the Alanon program followed by Alanon members sharings. It shows me that others are works in progress too but each reading offers awareness and hope.
I'm glad that Alanon has been and continues to be a gentle program because I'm on a lifetime journey of self discovery. I'm glad the steps are there to help me keep growing each day and the Serenity Prayer to let go and let god.
Wishing you the best on your journey! Keep coming back! ((hugs))) TT
-- Edited by tiredtonite on Sunday 29th of May 2016 08:57:07 AM
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Surround yourself with people and elements that support your destiny, not just your history.
Hello HITM - I got nothing new to add to your request, but wanted to just welcome you to MIP!
Glad you are here and glad you are joining us in recovery...
Keep coming back!!
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Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
So glad to hear that you are reaching out and off to a great start. Attending meetings, reading CAL (AlAnon conference approved literature), and working the steps with a sponsor is the foundation of recovery. Good for you!