Al-Anon has long been a resource for many friends, family and loved ones of alcoholics. This program has been able to provide those living with alcoholics the skills they need to cope and continue to manage the presence of alcoholism in their lives so they do not suffer from it any longer. As a result, Al-Anon has become one of the most popular forms of additional treatment for hundreds of thousands of individuals who have addicted loved ones.
Those who enter into an al-anon program are often experiencing one of three difficulties in their personal lives – they are being affected by an alcoholic on a personal or professional level, the alcoholic in question is causing heightened level of concern, and/or other individuals associated with the alcoholic may or may not know if they are being negatively impacted or not. Therefore, to help answer these questions and provide effective education, Al-Anon is often the best choice for these individuals. The many benefits of the Al-Anon program can include:
- Learn how to set boundaries – Setting boundaries is often the most difficult step for any relative of an alcoholic, as it can seemingly put space in between them that can possibly sever their relationship. While estrangement might occur, it is crucial for those attending Al-Anon to learn how to do this to not only save themselves, but their loved one as well. These boundaries will serve as methods of ending enabling behavior, as it will prevent an alcoholic from continuing to feed off of others to fuel their addiction.
- Develop an education on alcoholism – Much of the frustration that comes with dealing with an alcoholic comes as a result of having little to no education about the disease itself. Al-Anon is an excellent place to obtain the education necessary to help separate what a loved one is going through as a result of their disease and what their true character is. Not only can this separation be distinguished, but individuals can also better understand what their loved one is going through.
- Utilize family for support – Because Al-Anon is highly focused on bringing together families, friends and loved ones, it is much easier to learn how to come together as a united force. Through clear communication and effective exercises, those who are participating in Al-Anon can develop relationships with one another that allow them to feel supported through this difficult time.
Al-Anon is not only a place to obtain these skills, but it is also highly regarded as being one of the best, most well rounded programs in the country. Through dedicated participation, those looking to improve their lives in order to find peace in the midst of chaos can do so through positive interaction and the consistent encouragement found in Al-Anon meetings.
