How Al-Anon Works

Al-Anon Family Groups

4.44 · Rating details · 86 ratings · 3 reviews

Al-Anon's basic book discusses the mutual-help program of recovery, including personal stories. A beginning approach to the Twelve Concepts of Service is included. Indexed. 406 pages. ...more

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Paperback, 406 pages

Published February 1st 2013 by Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.

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Jul 02, 2020 Melissa Stacy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020-reads, family, friendship, nonfiction, addiction

"How Al-Anon Works: for Families and Friends of Alcoholics," published by Al-Anon Family Groups, is a tremendous resource for anyone who has a relationship (past or present) with an alcoholic.

If you are familiar with "The Work" by Byron Katie, or the Rapid Transformational Therapy Trainer, Marissa Peer, the principles of Al-Anon are identical: healing starts by focusing on yourself, and examining your own thoughts, emotions, and behavior. "Returning yourself to peace and sanity" is impossible i "How Al-Anon Works: for Families and Friends of Alcoholics," published by Al-Anon Family Groups, is a tremendous resource for anyone who has a relationship (past or present) with an alcoholic.

If you are familiar with "The Work" by Byron Katie, or the Rapid Transformational Therapy Trainer, Marissa Peer, the principles of Al-Anon are identical: healing starts by focusing on yourself, and examining your own thoughts, emotions, and behavior. "Returning yourself to peace and sanity" is impossible if you are trying to "control" or "heal" someone else, especially if that person is an alcoholic.

Al-Anon is an anonymous program, and members respect the privacy of everyone who attends a meeting. Identities of Al-Anon members are never made public.

By posting this review, I'm making my connection to Al-Anon public. I picked up and read this book because I found myself attending Al-Anon meetings in 2020, in the weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic stopped all public gatherings.

Someone I love very dearly became incredibly ill in 2019, mentally and emotionally, which triggered a complete psychosomatic breakdown by January 2020. In order to help this person regain their physical, mental, and emotional health, attending daily Al-Anon meetings became an essential part of their recovery program.

I am *incredibly* grateful to Al-Anon, both for hosting such wonderful, uplifting meetings, as well as providing such excellent literature. Al-Anon books and pamphlets are incredible resources. Anyone can attend a meeting at any time, free of charge. A member even let me take home a free copy of this book, since I didn't have the money to pay for it. Two weeks later, I had the $6.00 to cover the cost, and paid for the book, but it really warmed my heart to know that Al-Anon members wanted me to have this literature, regardless of whether or not I could afford it, just because they wanted me to have the help I needed.

If you are struggling mentally, emotionally, and/or physically from a relationship (past or present) with an alcoholic, and you have never attended an Al-Anon meeting, I hope you will consider giving Al-Anon a try. Their website enables you to find the closest meeting where you live, listing all locations and times. In my area, I was grateful to discover that there were meetings available every day.

"How Al-Anon Works" is an incredibly helpful book. Highly recommended for everyone on their own path to healing.

Five stars. ...more

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Jun 14, 2018 Ro Andersen rated it it was amazing

If you grew up with the family disease of alcoholism or addiction, or if you have encountered it in your adult life, this book is a must read. It includes not only the basics of Al Anon, but many heartfelt stories about how people have worked the program in their own lives. Guaranteed you will find your own story mirrored in one of theirs. Highly recommended.

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May 11, 2013 Diane rated it it was amazing

Wonderful read for those who are relatives or friends of alcoholics. Not only does it give you information on the history of Al Anon, the 12 steps, traditions and concepts of service; It has many stories of how Al Anon has worked in the lives of others. What a beautiful, spiritual program!

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