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.
Hi Im not too sure how this works. Im new here and to Al-anon. I have heard how much it can help people and Ive realised how desperate I am to get better. My father is an alcoholic and I never realised how affected I was until recently. my life has became so unmanageable and I hate the person I am due to the effects of living with an alcoholic. I dont even know where to start to be honest. I just know I dont want to feel like this anymore. Thanks
You will see some good posts from the "veterans" soon, I'm sure. However, I just wanted to welcome you and let you know that you are NOT alone. My ESH (Experience, Strength, and Hope) for you is to read as much as you can from these boards. Such wise people here that have found their strength!
Many will tell you to find a F2F (face to face) meeting... and that is true... it can be an invaluable resource. But being new myself not too long ago, sometimes it takes time to get the gumption to walk in those doors. MIP is a wonderful place... whether you find your F2F or not. When you are ready, go with an open mind and heart. This really does work FOR YOU.
Also, try reading "Co-dependent No More" by Melodie Beattie (sp?). It helped me tremendously... not only to live with my addict spouse, but in all areas of my life.
Keep coming back!
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"The wolf that thrives, is the one you feed." - Cherokee legend
"Hello, sun in my face. Hello you who made the morning and spread it over the fields... Watch, now, how I start the day in happiness, in kindness." Mary Oliver
So glad you are here! This group has literally changed my life. I hope you keep coming back. There are so many here who have learned and are learning to have peace, self respect, freedom from shame, guilt and all the other junk we see in ourselves when we arrive here. I am one of them and so very grateful today!
Hello and welcome L1983 - I too send out a welcome to you. Glad you found MIP and glad that you posted. My best suggestion was given to me and I pass it along to you - find and attend some local face-to-face meetings. If you don't like the first one, try again. Go with an open mind and an open heart. Look for the similarities vs. the differences. Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive disease and also is considered a family disease. This is because it reaches well beyond the drinker and affects almost all who love or live with them.
Al-Anon is for family and friends affected and you are welcome to attend whether he is active in the disease or tries recovery for self through AA or another way.
Keep coming back here too - there is always hope and help in recovery! You are not alone!
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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
L1983 I was given a "truth" when I first started working the Al-Anon Program "You will never have to feel the way you feel now if you accept and work this program". That was an outlandish promise to a newbie guy on his early attempts and yet after some times at failing; because I wanted to still do it "my way" I caved in and worked the promise. That was in 1979 and the craziness and sick problems I was living with then went away. This program works when I work it and I continue on a daily basis to work it as taught. The disease has always been in my life...I was born and raised into it and today I find it hard to believe that even happened.
Keep coming back...glad you are here...in support. ((((hugs))))