Support for Friends, Family, and Concerned Individuals who are Impacted by Other’s Drinking and Drug Use

• Are you worried about someone who drinks or uses drugs? Perhaps a spouse, partner, child, parent, sibling, grandchild, friend, or co-worker?
• Do you feel there is no one who understands your experience?
• Do you tell lies to cover up for someone else’s drinking, drug use, or what is happening in your home?
• Have you been embarrassed or hurt by the behaviors of someone who is drinking or using drugs?
• Do you feel that if the person who is drinking or using drugs loved you, that they would stop?

If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, then check out Al-Anon, a support group for those impacted by someone else’s drinking, or Nar-Anon, a support group for those impacted by someone else’s addiction.

Al-Anon and Nar-Anon are both community resource organizations that are based on the Twelve-Step Program which incorporates spirituality by connecting to a “Power greater than ourselves”. However, how the term is defined is up to the participants. Alateen is part of the Al-Anon family groups, consisting predominately of teens in similar situations. Narateen is part of the Nar-Anon group, designed to provide support to teenagers impacted by the addiction of their friends and family.

There are multiple reasons why attending a support group can be helpful. Here are the top five.

Five Benefits of Attending Al-Anon/Alateen and Nar-Anon/ Narateen Include:

1. Learning more information about alcohol or drug addiction and the recovery process
2. Understanding how alcohol and drug use impacts one physically, emotionally, and spiritually
3. Connecting with others who are experiencing similar circumstances
4. Modifying attitude and behaviors through studying and applying the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
5. Improving coping by connecting with a supportive group community

To learn more, visit the Al-Anon website at www.al-anon.org or call their toll-free number at 888-4AL-ANON or 888-425-2666.

For Nar-Anon, visit their website at www.nar-anon.org or call their toll-free number at 800-477-6291.

Written By : Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC