justfortoday906

New to facing his problems and my own. I'm a Mother of an alcohol and drug addicted child. Tried Al-Anon once, twice and it was more painful than I thought. I've been told to go back at least six times before I decide. Any other alternatives for community help out there?

Anna

Well, I think counselling/therapy could be helpful. You might get a referral from your dr for that.

mayabee

Are there any Nar-anon groups in your area? Very similar to Al-anon but geared toward families and friends of drug addicts.

Dee74

I'm not a SMART member, so I have no ideas on details or availability - but I know they have Family and Friends support.

Family & Friends - An Alternative to Al-Anon and Intervention

I think anything is likely to be hard tho - I'm sorry.

Welcome to SR

D

Stevie1

I'd try sticking with NA/AlAnon, even though it's hard.

Thank you for caring about your child. I wish my own mother had ever cared enough to do that.

WritingFromLife

May be a function of checking out different Alanon/Naranon groups. I have found they are not all alike--the energy, the shares, the people can fluctuate drastically. I, too am a parent of an addicted child. I am not sure I know of greater pain. I'm willing to bet yours is very raw right now. There are also many books--specifically one by Kristina Wandzilak and her mother, called THE LOST YEARS, and anything by Melody Beattie helps me.

Spend time in the Friends and Family Forum of SR.

I wish you all the best. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

onlythetruth

I'll put in another plug for the SMART Recovery Friends & Family Forum that Dee mentioned. It's quite good, and there's a supportive group of regulars who hang out in the online forums there. We also have an online meeting every week and a few face to face meetings.

As to whether or not you'll find it hard...I think the hard thing is having a loved one who is addicted, not so much getting support for that situation.

hector

Meetings are more painful than you thought? OK, read the literature. Were you given a Newcomer's Kit? Do yourself a favor and read it. Read other Al-Anon literature. Then, go back to a meeting, find the kindest, gentlest person there and invite her out for coffee, or to your home. Tell her what you told us. She'll probably help. If not, do it again with someone else.

My suggestion, take it or leave it.