I went to my first al-anon meeting
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 69
I went to my first al-anon meeting
and was surprised to learn that it is a 12 step program that in many ways is just like AA. It dawned on me the al-anon stands for alcoholics anonymous. I have been in recovery for three years and attend AA meetings almost everyday. However, I never ventured into al-anon. I grew up in an alcoholic home and have a father and sister who are in active addiction. I think I could benefit from al-anon as well. Al-anon is also proof that anyone can benefit from a 12 step program as most people who attend al-anon are not alcoholics. Interestingly enough I met a recovering alcoholic at the al-anon meeting who told me he prefers al-anon over AA. I am curious to see what kind of experiences other people in recovery have had with al-anon.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 2,126
1) "...It dawned on me the al-anon stands for alcoholics anonymous..."
2) "...most people who attend al-anon are not alcoholics..."
Actually Al-Anon does NOT stand for alcoholics anonymous. AA stands for alcoholics anonymous. Al-Anon is the Family Group for friends and families of problem drinkers to find understanding and support.
2) See #1 explanation.
(o:
NoelleR
2) "...most people who attend al-anon are not alcoholics..."
Actually Al-Anon does NOT stand for alcoholics anonymous. AA stands for alcoholics anonymous. Al-Anon is the Family Group for friends and families of problem drinkers to find understanding and support.
2) See #1 explanation.
(o:
NoelleR
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 69
Originally Posted by NoelleR 
1) "...It dawned on me the al-anon stands for alcoholics anonymous..."
2) "...most people who attend al-anon are not alcoholics..."
Actually Al-Anon does NOT stand for alcoholics anonymous. AA stands for alcoholics anonymous. Al-Anon is the Family Group for friends and families of problem drinkers to find understanding and support.
2) See #1 explanation.
(o:
NoelleR
2) "...most people who attend al-anon are not alcoholics..."
Actually Al-Anon does NOT stand for alcoholics anonymous. AA stands for alcoholics anonymous. Al-Anon is the Family Group for friends and families of problem drinkers to find understanding and support.
2) See #1 explanation.
(o:
NoelleR
Guest
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 1,476
I've been
They're great.
Amazing what people who haven't pickled their brains in booze can do with a 12 step program.
Having said that.... Just like AA has its own non program meetings "just don't drink and go to meetings " or "first step and third tradition" folks
Vs
"take the steps and study the books"
Alanon seems to have its own split.
Issues and tissues.... Go along, update everyone on the alcoholics inventory, have a cry and go home
Vs
"take the steps and study the books"
They're great.
Amazing what people who haven't pickled their brains in booze can do with a 12 step program.
Having said that.... Just like AA has its own non program meetings "just don't drink and go to meetings " or "first step and third tradition" folks
Vs
"take the steps and study the books"
Alanon seems to have its own split.
Issues and tissues.... Go along, update everyone on the alcoholics inventory, have a cry and go home
Vs
"take the steps and study the books"
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 69
Originally Posted by Hawks
I've been
They're great.
Amazing what people who haven't pickled their brains in booze can do with a 12 step program.
Having said that.... Just like AA has its own non program meetings "just don't drink and go to meetings " or "first step and third tradition" folks
Vs
"take the steps and study the books"
Alanon seems to have its own split.
Issues and tissues.... Go along, update everyone on the alcoholics inventory, have a cry and go home
Vs
"take the steps and study the books"
They're great.
Amazing what people who haven't pickled their brains in booze can do with a 12 step program.
Having said that.... Just like AA has its own non program meetings "just don't drink and go to meetings " or "first step and third tradition" folks
Vs
"take the steps and study the books"
Alanon seems to have its own split.
Issues and tissues.... Go along, update everyone on the alcoholics inventory, have a cry and go home
Vs
"take the steps and study the books"
Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 2,126
Originally Posted by Pacc1986
According to every resource I've looked at the name Al-anon was derived from AL-coholics ANON-ymous. They just didn't want people to confuse the two groups.
(o:
NoelleR
Guest
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 1,476
"The Al‑Anon name is a derivative of the first portions of the words Alcoholics Anonymous."
Al-Anon/Alateen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Al-Anon/Alateen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Guest
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 1,476
Where did the name Al-Anon come from and why the dash (-)?
I've seen many publications pertaining to Al-Anon and never found an explanation of the meaning
of Al-Anon. Where did it come from and what does it mean?" writes Margaret G. from Brody, MT.
The World Service Office immediately put the archivist to work. She came up with the following:
In May 1951 Lois W., Chairman, and Anne B., Secretary, sent the first letter from the Clearing
House1
polling the 87 family groups that had previously written to the .AA General Service Office. One
question asked was, "Do you approve of the name AA Family Group? If not, what do you suggest'?"
Approximately 57 responses were received. Some groups suggested names they were already
calling themselves such as, AA Associates, AA Auxiliary, Non-AA, Triple A, Women's Auxiliary of AA,
Friendship, AA Helpmates, Twelfth Step Auxiliary. The majority, however, favored the AA Family Group
name, which Lois and the Committee changed to "Al-Anon" which is a contraction of the two words.
Alcoholics Anonymous.
This decision came about when AA objected to the use of the letters "AA" in the name of the
national association of non-alcoholics since their Sixth Tradition stated that an AA group ought never lend
the AA name to any related facility or outside enterprise.
The hyphen was included because there are, in many locations in the U.S. and Canada, AA Clubhouses
that call themselves Alanon or Alano. The hyphen also identifies Al-Anon as a distinct organization.
From Inside Al-Anon Extra: a publication for groups of the Al-Anon Family Groups, Inc. Printed in the
1980s. Reprinted with permission
Pay up Dee
I've seen many publications pertaining to Al-Anon and never found an explanation of the meaning
of Al-Anon. Where did it come from and what does it mean?" writes Margaret G. from Brody, MT.
The World Service Office immediately put the archivist to work. She came up with the following:
In May 1951 Lois W., Chairman, and Anne B., Secretary, sent the first letter from the Clearing
House1
polling the 87 family groups that had previously written to the .AA General Service Office. One
question asked was, "Do you approve of the name AA Family Group? If not, what do you suggest'?"
Approximately 57 responses were received. Some groups suggested names they were already
calling themselves such as, AA Associates, AA Auxiliary, Non-AA, Triple A, Women's Auxiliary of AA,
Friendship, AA Helpmates, Twelfth Step Auxiliary. The majority, however, favored the AA Family Group
name, which Lois and the Committee changed to "Al-Anon" which is a contraction of the two words.
Alcoholics Anonymous.
This decision came about when AA objected to the use of the letters "AA" in the name of the
national association of non-alcoholics since their Sixth Tradition stated that an AA group ought never lend
the AA name to any related facility or outside enterprise.
The hyphen was included because there are, in many locations in the U.S. and Canada, AA Clubhouses
that call themselves Alanon or Alano. The hyphen also identifies Al-Anon as a distinct organization.
From Inside Al-Anon Extra: a publication for groups of the Al-Anon Family Groups, Inc. Printed in the
1980s. Reprinted with permission
Pay up Dee
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 69
What else could Al-Anon stand for? The steps are almost identical as well. Some groups change the first step to state "powerless over the alcoholic" but the group I went to kept the first step from AA. Also, the 12th step was changed to state "carry the message to others" rather than "carry the message to other alcoholics." The traditions were identical. Its AA for non-alcoholics.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 1,111
Originally Posted by NoelleR
I don't know what resources you've been using, however, if they're saying Al-Anon stands for alcoholics anonymous they're either flat out wrong; or they're lying to you; or they're pullin' your leg, or, or, or........just check out Al-Anon's website...................: http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/
(o:
NoelleR
(o:
NoelleR
Just saying, folks
P
Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: C.C. Ma.
Posts: 3,697
Hi.
Personally I care less about where the name came from, the program works by saving the sanity of people having to deal with alcoholics, both newcomers and old timers.
I enjoy their meetings because it’s focused on RECOVERY. I have several friends who are active in it who I call with love my black belt family.
Overall a great organization with wonderful people.
BE WELL
Personally I care less about where the name came from, the program works by saving the sanity of people having to deal with alcoholics, both newcomers and old timers.
I enjoy their meetings because it’s focused on RECOVERY. I have several friends who are active in it who I call with love my black belt family.
Overall a great organization with wonderful people.
BE WELL
Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Mgm, AL
Posts: 1,000
Courage to Change
Statement of Purpose Al-Anon's Suggested Preamble to The Twelve Steps
The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength, and hope, in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness, and that changed attitudes can aid recovery.
Al-Anon is not allied with any sect, denomination, political entity, organization, or institution; does not engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any cause. There are no dues for membership. Al-Anon is self-supporting through its own voluntary contributions.
Al-Anon has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps, by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics, and by giving understanding and encouragement to the alcoholic. Al-Anon World Services Suggested Preamble
The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength, and hope, in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness, and that changed attitudes can aid recovery.
Al-Anon is not allied with any sect, denomination, political entity, organization, or institution; does not engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any cause. There are no dues for membership. Al-Anon is self-supporting through its own voluntary contributions.
Al-Anon has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps, by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics, and by giving understanding and encouragement to the alcoholic. Al-Anon World Services Suggested Preamble
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 69
Originally Posted by Carlotta
Double winner here too. I give credit to AA for my life and Al Anon for my sanity.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 2,126
Originally Posted by NoelleR......: I don't know what resources you've been using, however, if they're saying Al-Anon stands for alcoholics anonymous they're either flat out wrong; or they're lying to you; or they're pullin' your leg, or, or, or........just check out Al-Anon's website...................: http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/
(o:
NoelleR
If you're inferring that I'm wrong, and should admit it....don't hold yer breath.
As others have stated here, although Al-Anon may be a derivative of the first portions of the words Alcoholics Anonymous and/or a contraction of the two words Alcoholics Anonymous, it definitely does not 'stand' for Alcoholics Anonymous. The only acronym for Alcoholics Anonymous is A.A.
(o:
NoelleR
(o:
NoelleR
Originally Posted by paulokes
"When we were wrong, promptly admitted it"f
Just saying, folks
P
Just saying, folks
P
As others have stated here, although Al-Anon may be a derivative of the first portions of the words Alcoholics Anonymous and/or a contraction of the two words Alcoholics Anonymous, it definitely does not 'stand' for Alcoholics Anonymous. The only acronym for Alcoholics Anonymous is A.A.
(o:
NoelleR
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
