Al-Anon Family Group

The Forum magazine articles - April 2002

The following articles from the April 2002 issue are reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al-Anon Family Group Hdqs., Inc., Virginia Beach, VA.  For more articles, check The Forum archive.

 

When I was 14 years old, my family moved from the country to the city.  That was a big change for me.  I never saw my father drink until we moved.  It was quite a shock.  My father told my mother that his drinking was her fault.  I believed him and began to feel very resentful towards my mother.  I had no idea what alcoholism was.      We went on a trip to Disneyland that fall.  I didn't know this at the time, but my father promised not to drink in front of us on the trip.  My father was very thirsty when we got to California.  Being a man of his word, he took a flight back to Manitoba--he did say he wouldn't drink in front of us.      My mother decided that we were going to continue our holiday and have a good time without my father.  One day we were driving and a plane flew over us.  I remember my mother laughed and said, "Wave.  Your dad could be on that plane."  At the time I thought that was a very sick thing to say.  I was unaware that she already had a program and had found a sense of humor.      When we returned home, my mom made me go to Alateen.  It was the best thing she could have done for me.  The most important thing for me at Alateen was learning that alcoholism is a disease.  It wasn't my father's fault.  He loved me the only way he knew how at the time.  Other kids in Alateen felt the same way I did.  I learned to stop resenting my mother.  This was my first experience with the program.  Thank you, Al-Anon, for being there for my mother 25 years ago.  Mom, I love you.  Thank you.

 

Before Alateen, I thought, "How could those meetings help me?"  Inside of me though, I knew I really needed help--but I was close-minded      The night I went to my first meeting, something told me I would feel better after I walked out of the room.  It happened!  My whole life started to change.  Now I can discuss things without fighting.  I understand people better when they make mistakes.  One of the most important things I've learned in meetings is how to love myself.      My first Alateen meeting was an experience that changed me a lot because now I can express myself better than ever before.  I keep coming back to Alateen because I know I can find the help I need.  Also, the members are not going to judge me, and they help me in many ways.      I'm glad that I found this help in time.  Thanks, Alateen!