Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Al-anon are abstinence-based fellowships that offer support for those recovering from alcoholism. If you or someone you love is an alcoholic, these programs can make a huge difference in how well you live your life and the quality of your relationships.
This blog post will cover what AA is, what Al-anon is, how they work, and where they meet. It will also cover the different types of meetings available to members so that you know which one best suits your needs. Finally, it will show you how to get started with these organizations if they sound like something that might be helpful for yourself or someone close to you. What is AA?
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an international fellowship of men and women for whom alcohol became a destructive force in their lives.
In the AA view, alcoholism is not a character defect but rather a disease that can be arrested. The organization serves as a support system in which members help each other achieve long-term sobriety by practicing the 12 steps to recovery, helping others when they are tempted to drink, and carrying the message of AA to those who still suffer. By doing so they believe they are making amends for the harm they have done while drinking. They do not regard alcoholism as a moral failing, but rather as a medical condition that is treatable.
The group began in 1935. An anonymous alcoholic wrote the Big Book which describes the 12 steps of recovery. The book was published in 1939, and AA has been assisted by committees ever since its inception. AA worldwide has both adult traditional meetings and adolescents treatment meetings for teens who suffer from alcoholism or other addictions. Traditionally, AA has attempted to remain non-denominational, but organizations have often been open with other religions’ beliefs or practices.
Al-anon is for those families of those who are struggling with alcoholism, drug addiction, or other forms of substance abuse. Al-anon is often the first place that someone looks when they realize that someone they care about is suffering from an addiction. The general motto of Al-anon is “We Do Recover.” They offer support and understanding, hope, reassurance and a sense of community for family members and friends of alcoholics. They do not judge nor claim to have any special answers or methods for solving problems with alcohol abuse or other addictions.
Handouts are available for family members who want to learn more about the disease of alcoholism, or who want to understand what happens when someone decides to stop drinking, as well as ideas for ways they can help their loved one. Al-anon meetings are also available online and via phone to those who wish to be helped in a new way — all programs are completely free and come with no strings attached. Al-anon meetings provide secular support groups and church-based support groups for those seeking spiritual or religious help through these fellowships.
The primary difference between these two organizations is that Al-anon is primarily placed for families and friends of people suffering from substance abuse problems. They do not focus on 12-step recovery through AA, but they point out that it is safe to discuss anything in relation to the addict’s problem.
Typically Al-anon and Alcoholics Anonymous are not affiliated, but that is where we come in. We believe alcoholics and family members can learn much from each other, which is why we created the Saturday Night Live Group. We have double winners, Al-anon and AA members. if you are interested in learning more, check out our website.