Ginger covered it quite well. I've gone to all kinds of meets, some like OA and NA just out of curiosity. AA, al-anon, ACoA and ISA out of necesity. The biggest difference is that of _identification_. When I am in an OA meet out of curiosity, or to be supportive of a friend, the people there talk about their struggles around consuming their drug of choice in a healthy and balanced manner. They talk about the triggers caused by TV ads and billboards on the freeway.
I hear them, but I can tell they don't feel what I feel.
In ACoA, which I attend because my parents alcoholism affects my life, I hear people talk of the hardships and overwhelming emotions they feel _today_ when they think of the years of therapy they needed to feel self-worth, the deep sense of loss they feel when they see a happy family at the mall, the fears of passing on the disease to their own children.
I hear them, and I know they feel _exactly_ what I feel.
I _identify_ with their strugles, and when they share their successes I learn how _I_ can enjoy the serenity they now have.
The al-anon meets I have gone to in L.A. and here in Vegas are all about the damage that is caused to us by the alcoholism or addiction of a close friend or family member. Most of the folks came out of a "toxic family" as ACoA's, and then went and married one to qualify for al-anon. How much of this "double winner" sharing goes on depends on the people that happen to be at that meeting.
That's why al-anon strongly recommnends that folks shop around at least 6 meetings in order to find the meet that has the best "mix" for your needs.
I find that both programs are wonderful and that either one works for me.
Mike
