Originally Posted by
PrettyViolets 
With Al Anon, it has been helpful, but I am more careful on which advice truly helps me. It upset me when I had someone recently tell me that alcoholics who relapse will most likely relapse again, and that I should just move on and end my marriage. I stood up to this person and let them know that I would make my own decision on this (I am the one who has to deal with the consequences of this). Marriage is really important to me.
Good for you for standing up to that person! It is your life, not theirs.
No one in Al-anon should give advice or assume authority. (Doesn't mean they don't -- there are a lot of sick people in the rooms, including myself, and some are sicker than others.)
The program is based on suggestion. I am a grateful member of Al-anon and I work a diligent program. It makes me furious when I hear people tell others what they "SHOULD" do like that. Grrrr.
(Okay, I could rant on about this for a while but I'll stop)