Includes index

This book is an introduction into the workings of Al-Anon, Alcoholics Anonymous. As people come together to find help and support in dealing with the effects of alcoholism, they often find help and solace in the experiences shared by other member. They come together for many different reasons, and return looking for one reason: hope of a better life

How Al-Anon Works for Families & Friends of Alcoholics opens wide the door to a remarkable fellowship of courageous men and womn who have experienced the sometimes subtle, but nonetheless devastating effects of another's alcoholism. It invites us in to see how Al-Anon helps families of alcoholics to overcome even the most negative aspects of their lives and, in turn, extend hope and help to others. This is the essential book on Al-Anon Family Groups. It answers every question we might think to ask including, "Can Al-Anon help me?" Even the casual reader is captivated by pages filled with refreshing, down-to-earth wisdom drawn from tousands of Al-Anon members sharing their very personal experience, strength, and hope. Sparks of recognition and understanding flash again and again as we begin to grasp the enormous impact the alcoholism of someone close has had on our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. To the millions of men, women, and children who have been affected by the alcoholism of another, this book extends the most previous of all gifts--hope. --

A special word for anyone confronted with violence -- Part One: Al-Anon program. Many faces of Al-Anon ; Help and hope ; Finding help ; Understanding ourselves and alcoholism ; Becoming aware ; Family disease of alcoholism ; Breaking our isolation ; Twelve steps ; Al-Anon slogans ; Changed attitudes ; Detachment, love, and forgiveness ; Taking care of ourselves ; Communication ; Service ; Keeping coming back ; Twelve traditions ; Twelve concepts of service ; Al-Anon's history -- Part Two: Al-Anon experiences. Lois's story ; A grandmother learns to "live and let live" ; New faith helps a wife find peace ; An employer overcomes the patterns of an alcoholic home ; A member, also in A. A., copes with his mother's drinking ; A sister learns to take care of herself ; Learning to live single ; Healing power of service ; Surviving personal tragedy ; An adult child uncovers hidden secrets ; Even a therapist can be affected by alcoholism ; A war veteran makes life and death decisions ; Alateen helps calm a teenager's violent temper ; A wife copes with physical abuse ; A son's imprisonment teaches a mother about herself ; A nun finds spiritual peace ; Facing the physical effects of alcoholism ; Learning to love in Alateen ; A husband learns to detach with love ; A wife leaves fantasy behind ; A parent sets boundaries ; A husband changes his attitudes ; Lessons in faith ; A Pueblo Indian learns to feel alive ; On the road...to recovery ; A mother lets go and lets God ; Finding reasons to live ; Transformation of a military man ; Living with a "dry drunk" ; Learning in Al-Anon what books never taught ; Letting go of a loved one's alcohol, drug, and money problems ; Making major decisions ; A survivor of family alcoholism deals with fear ; An abused husband gains self-esteem ; Alcoholism crosses racial lines ; A gay man copes with sexual intimacy ; Coming to terms with another's disease ; Loving alcoholics and still finding joy ; A father takes responsibility for himself ; A minister works through childhood pain ; A grown daughter gains freedom ; Learning to live in the present ; Never too old to change for the better ; A very special way ; Twelve steps ; Twelve traditions ; Twelve concepts of service ; Index