Al-Anon and Alateen Group Meetings on Alcoholism – Frequently Asked Questions – Kelowna, British Columbia – Options Okanagan Treatment Center for Alcoholism
What about problems and issues other than somebody else’s Alcohol drinking?
In addition to alcohol abuse or alcoholism, newcomers as well as Al-Anon members may be worried and concerned about a relative or even a friend who has yet another kind of addiction, mental illness, mental disease, psychopathy, compulsive, addictive or problematic behavior and conduct. Even though Al-Anon’s principles and guidelines can be applied to a lot of different and distinct situations and concerns or issues, the Al-Anon program focuses and concentrates upon helping members recover from and get over the effects of somebody else’s drinking problems. Newcomers as well as Al-Anon/Alateen members will also be encouraged to seek and look for help and assistance from other additional resources for their concerns and issues in addition to OR other than someone else’s drinking when needed and required.
Is Al-Anon or Alateen compatible with and suitable for the professional care, treatment and services other people offer?
Yes. Al-Anon/Alateen is a peer support and assistance group. As peers, they will exchange their respective and particular experiences. The common sharing among members helps members to realize and understand that they have a wide range of options that they may not have realized and noticed they had and experienced before participating in Al-Anon or Alateen. Al-Anon members do not really give direction or even prescribe specific solutions and alternatives for other Al-Anon or Alateen members.
Is the Al-Anon or Alateen Family Groups program religious, spiritual, faith-based, non secular?
It is spiritually-based on principles and concepts applicable to individuals from a wide selection of backgrounds and applicable and relevant to individuals regardless of and no matter what their religious beliefs or values – or lack of religious beliefs and philosophy.
What is the Al-Anon or Alateen meeting format or structure and exactly what do members talk about and discuss at these meetings?
The majority of Al-Anon and Alateen groups or organizations have a discussion or dialogue topic or subject matter at their meetings such as acceptance, toleration, overcoming and alleviating fear and concern, change, one of Al-Anon’s slogans (Easy Does It, One Day at a Time) or one of the Twelve Steps. Al-Anon and Alateen group meetings are facilitated through members, instead of a professional. Each and every week, a different fellow member chairs the meetings on a different subject or issue.
Why do Al-Anon or Alateen members continue to go to Al-Anon or Alateen after the problem drinker is in treatment, therapy, sober, attending Alcoholics Anonymous, or even no longer actively involved with the person’s life?
Al-Anon or Alateen is a program of self discovery and personal growth and development. Recovery is an ongoing process and isn’t tied to regardless of whether or not the problem drinker or alcoholic carries on drinking, is visibility present, or actively involved with a Al-Anon member’s life. The effects and results of somebody else’s drinking are deep and can present challenges and issues which continue throughout life.
Al-Anon and Alateen members form brand new friendships with other fellow members and often will find great personal satisfaction and fulfillment in maintaining relationships with their Al-Anon friends. Al-Anon and Alateen members also strengthen and reinforce their very own recovery and find wonderful satisfaction is sharing and discussing their application of the Al-Anon program with other newcomers to Al-Anon and Alateen.