Al-Anon was originally started to help those directly affected by alcoholism. Growing up with any sort of relationship with an alcoholic is extremely draining, because an active alcoholic tends to suck the life and energy out of anyone who will allow them to do so.
Those who stick around the alcoholic in their lives tend to lose or damage their own sense of self, their self-esteem, and their will to tend to their own health and needs, because the alcoholic is very successful at convincing these people that they do not deserve to be cared for.
That said, Al-Anon teaches many wonderful skills and ways of thinking. It is for the person dealing with the alcoholic, not to help them deal with helping the alcoholic, but to help them learn to take care of themselves.
Although rare, it is not unheard of for people who have not had any contact with any alcoholics in their personal lives to attend, simply to learn these ways of thinking.
It is extremely common for people to continue to attend, even long after the alcoholic becomes sober, or after the alcoholic is no longer in their lives.
Originally Posted by
flipdog 
My main question is whether Alanon would even benefit me or not.
Would Al-Anon benefit you? Yes. Although it may be in a different way than the average person in Al-Anon.
There's no
requirement to go...
That said, it doesn't hurt to try and see if you like it, even if it's for other reasons than others in the meeting.
