English-speaking Al-Anon family groups in Spain

 

 

Do you have a partner or relative with a drinking problem?

AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS
For every person who misuses alcohol it is estimated that at least 5 other people are affected. These include partners, parents, children and friends. It can be very difficult for family members to live with and care about a person who misuses alcohol, without sacrificing their own health and happiness. However, this does not mean that the situation is hopeless. Family members, friends of alcoholics can get help for themselves. Al-Anon Family Groups are groups of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experiences, strength and hope in order to solve their common problems - that we have all experienced when the alcoholic has been drinking or when sober...  Al-Anon members believe that alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes are essential to aid the alcoholic’s recovery and to support the alcoholic in sobriety. Like "Alcoholics Anonymous", Al-Anon is an anonymous fellowship, everything that is said in a meeting and member to member is held in confidence. Only in this way can members of Al-Anon feel free to say what is on our minds and in our hearts. Al-Anon has but one purpose - to help families and friends of alcoholics.

 

What is Al-Anon?

Al-Anon offers understanding and support for families and friends of problem drinkers, whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not. Alateen, a part of Al-Anon, is for young people aged 12-20 who have been affected by someone else's drinking, usually that of a parent. The parents, children, wives, husbands, friends and colleagues of alcoholics could all be helped by Al-Anon and Alateen whether or not the drinker in their lives recognises that a problem exists. At Al-Anon group meetings members receive comfort and understanding and learn to cope with their problems through the exchange of experience, strength and hope. The sharing of problems binds individuals and groups together in a bond that is protected by a policy of anonymity. Members learn that there are things they can do to help themselves and indirectly to help the problem drinker. Changed attitudes, which come from greater understanding of the illness, may result in the drinker seeking help. Al-Anon is self-supporting through members' voluntary contributions and the sale of its literature. There are no dues or fees. The groups are non-professional and have no religious or other affiliations and no opinions on outside issues.

 

The History of Al-Anon

In the late 1930s in the United States, close relatives of recovering alcoholics realised that they too needed help. They sought solutions by following the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous and formed themselves into family groups. In 1951 these groups were drawn together and became Al-Anon Family Groups. The first Al-Anon group in the UK and Eire was started in Belfast in 1952. By 1960 there were eleven groups registered and in 1964 the first Alateen group was established. By 1970 the number of groups had grown to 100. Since then there has been rapid expansion and there are now approximately 1000 groups meeting regularly throughout the UK and Eire. Worldwide more than 30,000 Al-Anon and Alateen groups meet in over 100 countries. Al-Anon and Alateen literature is produced in more than 25 languages. There are nineteen Al-Anon books and over 55 pamphlets and booklets available.