Our Accreditations
Alcoholism is one of the most serious public health concerns out there, and it’s not just problem drinkers who bear the brunt of this issue. The friends and relatives who have alcoholic family members carry a significant burden as well, and this is what led to the creation of Al-Anon Family Groups. This program has a focus of helping the loved ones of alcoholics better cope with their situation.
Al-Anon and its contingent for teenagers – Alateen – are powerful resources for those whose lives are affected by someone else’s alcohol abuse. Unfortunately, not everyone finds help in the organization. Just like substance abuse disorder treatments, no single program will work for everyone. This is why you should have a full understanding of Al-Anon and what it offers.
Upon the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in 1935, the group only catered to individuals who suffered from alcohol dependency. Friends and family members affected by the addiction could not become members, and even today, concerned significant others (CSOs) are only allowed at open meetings of AA. This changed in 1951.
Prior to the official founding of Al-Anon, friends and family members of those suffering from alcoholism formed independent groups. The wife of an Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder joined another CSO to start an interconnected organization for these groups. In 1957, a teenager dealing with familial alcohol abuse founded the teen offshoot, Alateen.
Al-Anon has a well-established organizational structure where each level supports the others. This hierarchy is as follows:
World Service is the organization’s headquarters, but the individual and autonomous groups are where the actual work gets done. The friends and family members of those dealing with alcoholism come together to learn ways to help their struggling loved one. Members also provide emotional support to each other – realizing that many of them have gone through traumatic situations.
Even though the stated purpose of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon are different, the principles of the organizations are very similar. The Twelve Steps, Three Legacies, Twelve Traditions and many other foundational elements of the groups are nearly identical. The CSO-focused group, however, has a preamble to the Twelve Steps.
The first part of this preamble describes the purpose of the group:
“The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength, and hope in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery.”
Like other 12-step programs, Al-Anon focuses on fellowship and mutual aid. Anonymity is required and the organization expects members to respect one another. This means minimizing “crosstalk” during meetings, and no one has to share more than they’re comfortable with. The entire point of these groups is to offer help and respite from the difficulties alcohol is causing in members’ lives.
If you’re witnessing a loved one go down a dark path because of alcoholism, you are not alone. At Transformations Treatment Center, we’ve seen the damage caused when people are caught in the wake of their loved one’s addiction. Contact us today to learn more about the resources we offer for those suffering from alcoholism and the ones who love them.
Unlike some other organizations, there are no major requirements for Al-Anon or Alateen membership. In fact, the Third Tradition is very clear about who can join Al-Anon: “The only requirement for membership is that there be a problem of alcoholism in a relative or a friend.” As long as someone meets this criterion, they are welcome to attend meetings.
The one issue that dissuades many people from joining the organization is the belief that it’s focused on Christian teachings. After seeing mentions of “God” and “Higher Power” in the Twelve Steps and other literature, this is an understandable assumption. Members are free to choose their “Higher Power,” though, in any way they see fit.
Just consider some of the most common secular powers:
The principles of Al-Anon and Alateen are very clear that a “Higher Power” can be anything that we see as greater than ourselves. It’s merely a token that members use to help maintain the right path. This means there is no religious requirement for membership. This is so much the case, in fact, that alternate groups have been founded to focus more on religiosity.
There is also no questionnaire that dictates whether an individual can join these groups. The organization does provide three quizzes, though, that help a person understand if Al-Anon might be right for them. There is one quiz for adults, another for teens and a third for those who grew up with alcoholism in their homes.
The following are a few example questions from the adult-focused quiz:
These questions show just how much a person can be affected by a loved one’s alcohol addiction. There is no specific score on these quizzes necessary to attend a meeting, though, so if a friend or relative has a drinking problem, feel welcome to attend Al-Anon meetings.
Since the organization focuses on providing an outlet for loved ones affected by alcoholism, it may seem difficult to gauge its effectiveness. After all, if it gives a concerned loved one an opportunity to share their story with others, isn’t Al-Anon accomplishing something? Fortunately, scientific research has delved much deeper than these surface issues.
Studies have found the following outcomes linked to Al-Anon and Alateen attendance:
These positive outcomes show that Al-Anon is very effective on many levels. Unfortunately, research indicates that participation in such groups was “mostly ineffective” in convincing a loved one to seek treatment for alcoholism. When a problem drinker gets involved in AA, however, spouse participation in Al-Anon increases rates of abstinence and marital happiness.
While there will always be detractors of the 12-step process in all its forms, the effectiveness of groups catered to concerned significant others is undeniable. If you’d like additional resources that can help you and your loved one, visit our Family Member Support Guide to learn more about overcoming this family disease.
There aren’t many alternatives to Al-Anon available, but this doesn’t mean the program is right for everyone. Some people simply don’t benefit from the group dynamic, but before you dismiss the possibility, it’s ideal to attend at least a few meetings. Remember that you can just sit and listen if you’re not ready to talk, and this will give you a better understanding of how the process works.
Meeting attendance is the only proper way to know if Al-Anon is right for you. If you’re dealing with difficulties in your life because of a loved one’s problem drinking, though, the research says you’ll most likely benefit from joining. And since everything remains anonymous within the group, you do not need to fear the judgement of others.
It’s understandable if you have questions on whether this program is right for you. At Transformations Treatment Center, our staff of certified professionals is experienced in dealing with alcohol addiction and those who get trapped in its orbit. Contact us today to learn more about the resources available to you.
As one of the most well-established family support groups out there, finding an Al-Anon meeting is simple. You can visit their Meetings page – linked in the Sources section below – and find options for face-to-face, electronic and phone meetings. You’ll also find Alateen groups listed there, but if there are no local meetings, teens are welcome at traditional Al-Anon groups.
There are over 24,000 traditional groups in the organization, and over 1,500 Alateen groups have also been formed. This makes face-to-face gatherings easy to find, but in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual and telephone meetings became more common. There are around 200 virtual meetings – both live and non-real-time – along with a similar amount of phone groups.
Regardless of where you live or your level of face-to-face comfort, there are Al-Anon and Alateen meeting options available to you.
Anyone who suffers from alcohol abuse has to make a cognizant and willful decision to get help. Unfortunately, it often takes hitting rock bottom for a person to take this leap. It’s unnecessary for loved ones, however, to wait until this point. You’re not alone if a friend or relative’s addiction is affecting your life, so don’t be afraid to reach out for help.
Al-Anon is just one piece of the puzzle when dealing with alcoholism, but it’s a very important one. Your participation could help a loved one remain abstinent in the long-term. Contact us today at Transformations Treatment Center and we’ll help you make a plan to combat the negative effects of alcoholism in your life.
Sources
American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4976777/
Al-Anon Self Quizzes
https://al-anon.org/newcomers/self-quiz/
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10535235/
Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs
https://www.jsad.com/doi/abs/10.15288/jsa.1978.39.1577
Find a Meeting
https://al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/
