Al-Anon Journey Series Introduction

One of the most important elements of an intervention is FAMILY. Besides being physically part of the intervention, the family plays a huge role in helping their loved one stay sober. I do want to clarify though, that the choice to get and stay healthy is always a choice that only the addict can make. However, in an effort to support the addict in their recovery and to give recovery every opportunity to be long-lasting, the family themselves needs to take their own steps toward healthier living. In every intervention that takes place, the family is not just encouraged, but asked to COMMIT to participating in a wonderful little program called Al-Anon.

Recently I was a part of an intervention on someone very close to me. The intervention itself did more than I ever expected it to: it showed me how destructive and unhealthy my life had become. Alcoholism and drug addiction do not just affect the addict; as the addiction progresses, so does the level of unhealthiness within the family unit. So... upon realizing this and being truly appalled at the state of affairs in my own life, I have embarked on a new journey: Al-Anon. I have been a member of Alcoholics Anonymous for nearly 5 years and have realized only recently that I am not just an alcoholic, but also quite codependent.

I will begin documenting my journey, my progress and in the process, hopefully reaching out to other family members who may be in the same situation. Look for more installments on a regular basis as we go through this journey together...

The Promises of Alcoholics Anonymous

If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness and selfpity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us—sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them.

Like most addicts and alcoholics, when I first thought about putting the drugs and the drink down, I wanted to know one thing: what's in it for me?
Enter The Promises taken from pages 83-84 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. These pages were the answer to my question and over the years, I have found them to be true. Looking back, they materialized right before my eyes.
Although beginning a program of recovery is tough and even unpleasant at times, these promises are the reason that people stick it out and stay around. These promises have taken me through some very difficult times and as they say, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly, they will always materialize if we work for them.