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 went to a f2f meeting last night. I had called and asked what time an 'al anon' meeting was, they told me and I showed up, however it was a meeting for Adult children (which STILL includes me), but I was looking for, you know, a meeting in regards to me and my husband. It was a little harder for me to relate to the sharing.
so my first thing is, when I read there is an al-anon meeting, how can I tell if it's for adult children, or a general al-anon meeting? does that make any sense?
Anyway, I STILL got something out of it. The topic was Let go & let God. This was perfect for me because right before I left, my A quietly told me before I left that he brought beer home. What an opportunity to give what I've heard and read a go. I just said, 'oh' and started another topic of conversation.
The thing I really like about meetings is the GENUINE caring the members surround me with. I mean, I really feel like they are excited that I'm there, and for the first time in a LONG time, I feel important and cared about, and what I"m saying is HEARD.
The big relief of the evening was while talking to people, someone said, 'You have really got the right attitude to be quite successful with the program.' It was nice to get a pat on the back for once.
Anyway, I came home, A was half crocked and in the 'giddy' stage. Slurring his words, staggering about (he doesn't usually eat when he drinks, and he drinks HEAVY ales). I could feel my anxiety level rising, but I just kept in my head the people from the meeting and what a great time I had at the meeting. It helped keep me calm, and not respond to A's drunkeness.
I realized how lucky i am to have found this program. How someone told me almost 20 times to go before I actually heard the words. I guess it had to be the right time for me.
Plus having this board is a great way of me staying grounded in between meetings. This forum is allowing me to learn between my 'classes'.
If you go to the alanon website for your state, it should give descriptions of each meeting like acoa (adult children) reg(regular) etc. This will help you pick a meeting.
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**Everyone is doing the best they can from day to day**
Hi, Iko, I'm so glad you found a face to face meeting. Usually a meeting list will tell you the focus of the meeting, but the truth is, Program is Program, and it's about you and not your A, so as you found, you can relate to what was said! And I'm so glad you got some literature. The thing about ACA's that I've learned (being one myself!) is that we take our disease with us wherever we go, and we find A's wherever we are. Our whole life is filtered through the disease of alcoholism. So ACA meetings can help you as much as anything. The thing to do is to get a phone list, get a sponsor, and start working the steps. You'll be amazed at how your life will change. It works, if you work it! We're very glad you are here. Blessings to you, Iko, mebjk
