Alanon: offering a way out of co-dependency It has been well-documented that addiction is a family disease. Alcohol and drug abuse impact not only the user, but family members, friends, co-workers and others who have a relationship with the user. Since it was founded in 1951 by the wives of two Alcoholics Anonymous members, Al-Anon has offered free and confidential support for anyone affected by an alcoholic or problem drinker. This includes parents, grandparents, spouses, partners, coworkers, and friends. Alateen, a part of Al-Anon, began in 1957 as a recovery program for young people impacted by a loved one’s alcoholism. Nar-Anon, a similar self-help group also based on the Twelve Steps, provides support to those affected by someone addicted to drugs. It has meetings in 45 countries, according to the group’s website. Al-Anon, Alateen and Nar-Anon are based on the Twelve Steps of AA and Narcotics Anonymous. There are no dues and no fees. Rather than relying on mental health professionals, members lead self-help meetings in a spirit of mutual help. The purpose is to share their hope, strength, and experience in dealing with an alcoholic loved one. Today, more than 26,000 Al-Anon groups exist in 130 countries, and Al-Anon literature is available in more than 40 languages. Al-Anon begins with the principle that alcoholism is a family disease, and those who care most about the alcoholic are affected the most. Al-Anon literature compares life with an alcoholic to a drama where people develop certain roles. Their behaviors center on the alcoholic and are dominated by: Obsession: going to great lengths to stop the alcoholic’s drinking, such as searching the house for hidden stashes of liquor, secretly pouring drinks down the drain, or listening continually for the sound of opening beer cans.
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