Originally Posted by
BeingStill 
I did not realize that Alanon was an entity requiring membership?
Exactly! It was very uncomfortable.
Both Nar-anon and Al-anon speak of "membership" in that the only "requirement" for membership is that you are affected by someone else's drinking (Al-anon) or drug addiction (Nar-anon). And since both are anonymous programs, there is no "registration" for membership.
Membership implies belonging to something. For some, the disease of alcoholism and/or addiction causes significant isolationism. One of the most important tools they may first encounter in recovery is the sense of belonging to something.....the knowledge that they are not alone.
I hope this explains the issue of membership.
gentle hugs
ke