|  | Family Health | Substance Abuse

Al-Anon Rules

Al-Anon is a group devoted to helping those affected by someone else's drinking. Just like its counterpart, Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon has weekly group meetings where those affected by alcoholism can meet, share stories and seek support. Just like Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon has rules for members to follow.

  1. What Al-Anon Does

    • Al-Anon is a group to help you if you are affected by someone who is an alcoholic. You can learn coping skills, hear other people's stories and get the support you need to make your life better. You will learn about addiction and alcoholism. You also will learn how to change the way you deal with situations presented to you by the alcoholic in your life, including how to create healthier boundaries and methods of communication.

    Al-Anon and Alcoholics Anonymous

    • Al-Anon is based on 12 steps, like Alcoholics Anonymous. The two programs work together for the good of the entire family unit. While Alcoholics Anonymous helps the alcoholic, Al-Anon helps family members deal with the alcoholic.

    Rules

    • Al-Anon has rules for how participants behave at its meetings and outside the meetings as well. These are not only enforced to protect the anonymity of group members, but to help everyone involved feel equal. Some Al-Anon rules regard confidentiality, personal information and meeting etiquette.

    Confidentiality

    • The rules for Al-Anon include confidentiality. Participants should not divulge the identities of their fellow group members. This is not only for anonymity but perhaps for the safety of certain members as well. For example, a spouse being abused by an alcoholic may attend Al-Anon meetings. If her alcoholic spouse finds out, she could be in danger.

    Personal Information

    • You are not permitted during an Al-Anon meeting to discuss personal information like what you do for a living or how much money you make. No person is seen as better than any other. Your line of work has no bearing on recovering from the situation of living with an alcoholic. All of the participants are going through the same issues. By avoiding talk of work, you can focus more on the issues at hand.

    Meeting Etiquette

    • During an Al-Anon meeting, no one is permitted to talk out of turn or have a conversation with another member while someone else is speaking. The person speaking should be given dignity and respect. You also are not permitted to give advice because no one has all the answers. When people speak, it is to air their grievances about their life with an alcoholic. Change and help come from the 12 steps.

Substance Abuse - Related Articles