Al-Anon, the mutual support group for friends and family, is an offshoot of Alcoholics Anonymous and similarly a 12-step program for those who experience alcoholism in their home or personal life..The opening or greeting statement is usually read at the beginning of each meeting to welcome newcomers and to remind other group participants why the group exists.
The newcomer is considered to be the most important person at the meeting. At most Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon meetings, members read from chapter 5 of the landmark text: Anonymous alcoholics, also known as the Big book. The chapter is titled “How It Works” and contains the 12 steps of the program.
The first greeting from Al-Anon emphasizes community, support, understanding and the importance of confidentiality.
The Al-Anon welcome
The following is the opening or welcoming statement that the chairperson normally reads at most Al-Anon family group meetings. It describes what newbies can expect from the program and from attending meetings.
“We welcome you to the Al-Anon family group and hope that in this community you will find the help and friendship that we have enjoyed.
“We who live or have lived with the problem of alcoholism understand how few others can. We too were lonely and frustrated, but in Al-Anon we find that no situation is really hopeless and that it is We can find contentment and even happiness whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not.
“We urge you to try our program. It has helped many of us find solutions that lead to serenity. So much depends on our own attitudes, and when we learn to put our problem into its true perspective, we lose his strength for it dominate our thoughts and our lives.
“The family situation will inevitably improve when we apply the Al-Anon ideas. Without this spiritual help, living with an alcoholic is too much for most of us. Our thinking is distorted by trying to force solutions, and we get irritable and unreasonable without knowing it.
“The Al-Anon Program is based on the proposed Twelve Steps (adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous), which we gradually try to apply to our lives along with our slogans and Serenity Prayer. The loving exchange of help between members and daily life Reading the Al Anon literature prepares us to receive the priceless gift of serenity.
“Anonymity is an important principle of the Al-Anon program. Everything that is said here in the group meeting and from member to member must be treated confidentially. This is the only way we can freely say what is in our program Mind and Heart, because that’s how we help each other in Al-Anon. ”
Preamble to the twelve steps
Al-Anon defines itself as an independent community with the aim of helping relatives and friends of people with alcohol problems. The following preamble to the Twelve Steps provides a general description:..
“The Al-Anon Family Groups are a community of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experiences, strengths and hopes in solving common problems. We believe that alcoholism is a family disease and that changing attitudes can help recovery.
“Al-Anon is not affiliated with any sect, denomination, political unit, organization or institution; has no controversy; does not endorse or reject any reason. There are no membership fees. Al-Anon is self-sustaining by its nature.” own voluntary contributions.
“Al-Anon’s one purpose is to help families of alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps, welcoming and comforting families of alcoholics and giving them understanding and encouragement.”
Al-Anon meetings can help family members feel less alone, find a supportive community of people with similar experiences, and develop new skills for dealing with a family member’s alcoholism.
