alanon

do you know what alanon is? it is a free support group for family members with loved ones who are alcoholics. i've been attending for over 3 years and it has been a great addition to my life spiritually, emotionally and relationally. once i got past the format of the meetings - "hi, my name is _____" - i really began to love it.

it's not a "religious" program, they like to say, it's a "spiritual" program. it's based on the same principles, the 12 steps, started by two alcoholic men who were christians, if my understanding is correct. these men wrote "the big book" which is the AA bible, if you will. 

but over time, readings and wordings have been changed to "the God of your understanding" and things such as that. however, i have not attended one meeting yet that hasn't closed with the Lord's prayer which i find very interesting.

the 12 steps have been christian-ized by a church in california (rick warren's church - - warren gave the invocation at obama's inauguration) and made into a recovery program you may have heard of called celebrate recovery (CR). i've also attended this and was in a bible study that took us thru the whole 12 steps which was excellent.

it's not necessary to have a family member who is an alcoholic to attend. there are some who come who don't. the principles we look at in meetings are boundaries, detachment from other's problems, self care, obsession with people, places and things, worshipping God not others and a whole lot more. 

there are catchy phrases (slogans) that are very helpful: 

 

how important is it? 

no is a complete sentence. 

the argument starts with my reply.

your business stops at the end of your nose. 

progress not perfection. 

you didn't cause it. you can't cure it. you can't control it.

one day at a time.

think.

SLIP (sobriety loses its priority)

SLIP (serenity loses its priority)

i guess if you were interested in finding out more, you could google it! :)