Does Al-Anon really have “promises”? - Al-Anon Family Group

TamaraStreeter · Newbie

Does Al-Anon really have “promises”?

el-cee · ~*Service Worker*~

They are on a sticky on the forum, Im not sure they are conference approved but they are so true.

hotrod · ~*Service Worker*~

Yes they can be found in the alanon CAL - From Survival to Recovery (p269)

Here is the link

alanon.activeboard.com/t52247626/the-giftspromises-of-alanon

tiredtonite · Veteran Member

It's my understanding that unlike "The Promises,"of AA, Alanon has no such Promises per se.

On page 269 in the Alanon book, Survival to Recovery there are statements about the life rewards that can be gained from working the Alanon program and yes, promise is used in the description. The portion of that page does not appear as an Alanon topic called The Alanon Promises in any Alanon conference approved literature unlike the Alanon Steps, Traditions, Concepts and other Alanon topics. It's something that members simply adopted through the years and coined as The Alanon Promises perhaps because that page in Survival to Recovery particularly inspires hope. TT

-- Edited by tiredtonite on Thursday 30th of June 2016 09:15:23 AM

hotrod · ~*Service Worker*~

That is correct Thanks TT . Since the word "Promises" is found in the Conference Approved Book mentioned I do believe that the Speaker at your conference was accurate.

I like how the above "Sticky" clearly notes an additional quote from that page that:

"Only if we accept life as a continuing process of maturation and evolution toward wholeness. Then we suddenly begin to notice these gifts appearing. We see them in those who walk beside us. Sometimes slowly or haltingly, occasionally in great bursts of brilliance, those who work The Steps change and grow toward light, toward health, and toward their Higher Power. Watching others, we realize this is also possible for us.

Self-pity, resentment, martyrdom, rage, and depression will fade into memory. Community rather than loneliness will define our lives. We will know that we belong, we are welcome, we have something to contribute, and that is enough."

In other words we need to keep showing up, working the program, using the tools and then we will find change . It is not a gift, a promise or expectation as each person experiences recovery differently.

Keep coming back there is hope

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.