What is

Al-Anon?

Al-Anon is a fellowship for those affected by someone else’s drinking; we understand as few others do.
The problems of alcohol have no religious, economic, social, or racial boundaries nor does our program.
We will respect your anonymity, as we know you will respect ours.
Sharing with the group is optional; you will never be pressured to speak.
We will encourage you to take what you like and leave the rest.
There are no dues, fees, or obligations to attend.

Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength, and hope in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery.

Al-Anon is not allied with any sect, denomination, political entity, organization, or institution; does not engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any cause. There are no dues for membership. Al-Anon is self-supporting through its own voluntary contributions.

Al-Anon has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps, by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics, and by giving understanding and encouragement to the alcoholic.

HOW IT WORKS FOR US

Unity

Al-Anon Family Group meetings provide support in dealing with the effects of alcoholism on you and your relationships. During meetings you hear about experiences, strengths, and hopes from other members. This may help you find a path to your own recovery.

Service

Service helps many of us step out of isolation and feel like we belong. This could be as simple as setting up for a meeting, making coffee, greeting others at the door, or leading a meeting.

Recovery

Alcoholism is a family disease. Those close to an alcoholic are often affected and caught up in the disease and can also become ‘ill’. In Al-Anon we find help by learning how to take new and successful approaches to life as we discover feelings of self-worth and love, as well as beginning or continuing our personal growth.

How Does Al-Anon Help?

Where

Are We?

Al-Anon is a fellowship with meetings found all over the world. In Southwest Michigan there are meetings in:

Battle Creek, Centreville, Coldwater, Kalamazoo, Niles, New Buffalo, Otsego, Paw Paw, Richland, South Haven, and Stevensville.

WHAT WE DO

FIND A LOCAL MEETING

FIND A NON-LOCAL MEETING

“I cried throughout my first four meetings, and barely said a word, but eventually I started to hear the laughter.”

Dawn K.

"I wasn’t sure Al-Anon was the right group for me, but after a few meetings it just felt right. It felt safe because I knew my situation was not unique. So glad I had the courage to give it a try."

L.R.

“When I read the Al-Anon Newcomer’s information, I felt an immediate kinship to whoever had written this and that my situation was not unique. At my first Al-Anon meetings, I felt totally accepted as I was, that I belonged. There was never any judgement of either me or of the alcoholic in my life. No one told me what I should or should not do. Through Al-Anon, I have learned that I am capable of giving and receiving love, and that is enough.”

Tom B.

"At the end of my first meeting members invited me to come again. I felt the warmth and honesty of their acceptance and the invitation to return. Two years later I am on a path of recovery that I never envisioned. I am so glad 'I kept coming back.'"

J.S.

How Does Al-Anon Work?

COMMON QUESTIONS

What's The

Next Step?

Find a meeting, walk through those doors or join that zoom, and keep coming back. Some people describe it as walking into a theater in the middle of the movie. You are not sure what everyone is talking about, but you can relate to little tidbits of what people say. Slowly, and after attending more meetings, you may start to feel something inside of you that you thought had died off, and you will start to recover.

NEWCOMER RESOURCES