The Forum

The Forum is an international monthly publication of Al-Anon Family Groups, that offers help and hope for the families and friends of alcoholics. Al-Anon and Alateen members share their challenges, insights, and progress along their path of self-discovery and spiritual growth. The magazine also includes topics for discussion at meetings as well as news and information from Al-Anon's World Service Conference and World Service Office. To order your subscription click HERE.

The following articles are reprinted from the August 2026 issue, with permission of The Forum, Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA.

Staying on My Side of the Court

I hadn’t played tennis for many years but took it up again after my marriage to an alcoholic ended. Although I really enjoyed playing, I would often finish a game feeling angry and resentful toward my opponent. During our games, I concentrated so much on what was happening on her side of the court that I couldn’t even call a ball in or out on my own side. If my opponent miscalled a ball in her favor, I would play the martyr, say, “It’s okay,” and lose the point.

One day, while playing, my Higher Power suddenly showed me that my behavior in tennis mirrored my approach to life. I was quick to judge others and always watched for their mistakes, rather than focusing on what was happening on my side of the court: my boundaries, my responsibilities, and my attitudes.

Even if my tennis game hasn’t improved much, I now know how to focus on my side, watch my lines, and trust the other person’s call on her side of the court. I can now enjoy playing with a clearer mind. Applying these Al-Anon principles in all areas of my life has improved my relationships. I focus on my attitudes and decisions, take care of my boundaries, and allow others the freedom to make their choices without judgment.

By Fiona L.

The Forum, August 2026

Caring for the Parent Who Didn’t Care for Me

I didn’t realize I was raised in alcoholism. Mine felt like a typical Gen X childhood—latchkey kid, caring for younger siblings, parents who worked hard and partied harder. Only later did I understand the instability and trauma that shaped me. Looking back, I can see that alcoholism ran deep in my mom’s family. Chaos was normalized. Safety wasn’t.

Today, my mom is 74 and in declining health. My siblings and I are now her caretakers. Through the grace of God and Al-Anon, I worked the Steps, found compassion, and forgave her. I let go of long-held resentment.

But caregiving has stirred feelings I didn’t expect. I love my mom and want to be there for her, but old wounds resurface. Boy, is she stubborn! Facing this, I’m learning how to balance compassion with boundaries—how to care for her without abandoning myself. It’s a challenge.

Recently, I had a meltdown at a meeting, my first in years. Despite this, I felt safe enough to be honest. Recovery doesn’t mean this is easy. Many members understand the powerlessness of caring for a parent who may not drink anymore but still carries the “isms” or the same patterns of behavior.

Forgiveness, I’m discovering, is layered. Caregiving peels back tender places I thought had healed. Al-Anon reminds me that I can show up with dignity. I can love someone and still take care of myself, even as I grieve what I didn’t have.

Today, I’m grateful that, thanks to God and my Al-Anon community, I didn’t have to fall apart alone.

By Chrissy J.

The Forum, August 2026

Stepping Off the Merry-Go-Round

Before I came to Al-Anon, there were two merry-go-rounds whirling in my life, like an echo or double vision. One revolved around my older brother, who was also severely affected by alcoholism and who began mimicking our father’s sickness, behaving violently toward our mother and me. I, in turn, rode the other merry-go-round, mimicking our sick mother’s behavior towards our father. We both acted by default, not by conscious choice.

After my first Al-Anon meeting, I had a powerful realization that we as a family are not the only ones caught up in this kind of circus ride. At the time, the pamphlet Alcoholism, a Merry-Go-Round Named Denial (P-3) was part of our newcomer’s packet. Had I not received it, I doubt I would have questioned my own behavior, let alone recognized our assigned family roles. So first, I am thankful I came, but I am equally thankful I came to this realization.

Until I could comprehend the reach of alcoholism beyond my narrow, peripheral view of myself, I would never have come to believe, as described in Step Two, that a Power greater than myself could or would restore my sanity. I call this comprehension insight.

My thought for today is this: Insight is the ability to comprehend, without distortion, why I do the things I do. This insight comes through my Higher Power’s guidance and best intention for myself and my family.

By Gregg L.

The Forum, August 2026

Equals and Partners in a Spiritual Endeavor

Translating Conference Approved Literature - Part 1

Al-Anon’s strength lies in the many way members help care for and carry our message. The articles Translating Conference Approved Literature, Part 1 and Part 2 introduce the independent review process that ensures translated Conference Approved Literature (CAL) is accurate, spiritually grounded, and legally protected. The first article outlines how the process works, and the second shares the service experience, strength, and hope of an independent reviewer. Together, they provide insight into how trusted servants care for Al-Anon’s words, meaning, and message worldwide.

Before joining the World Service Office (WSO) as a Paralegal, I had not considered how Conference Approved Literature (CAL) is translated into languages other than Spanish and French. Today, I appreciate the independent review process, which ensures that CAL translations are both faithful to the original English text and effective in conveying the program’s spiritual message.

When the Board of Trustees of Al-Anon grants permission to an international structure (an organized group responsible for Al-Anon activities in a specific country or region) to translate CAL into a language for the first time, the structure suggests several individuals to the WSO who could potentially serve as independent reviewers once the translation is completed. These individuals are members of the program, are bilingual in English and the target language, and were not involved in the original CAL translation.

With knowledge and objectivity, and with the WSO acting as intermediary, the independent reviewer evaluates translations submitted by the structure. Their review might highlight words or phrases that are not translated exactly or that inadvertently distort the meaning. Communicating the program’s concepts or spiritual principles in another language can be challenging. For example, which word best conveys the emotional element of “detachment,” rather than just a physical idea? Other challenges can be specifically grammatical: in several languages, “God” is a masculine noun while “Higher Power” is feminine. An independent reviewer is charged with offering suggestions for these and other linguistic and conceptual questions that involve core principles of the program.

Upon receipt of the independent reviewer’s comments, the WSO forwards them to the structure. The structure then discusses internally whether to incorporate the suggestions. The WSO facilitates this process by providing legal and traditional guidance to both the independent reviewer and the structure as may be necessary. Concept Four guides us all: we work harmoniously and respectfully, recognizing that we are equals and partners in a spiritual endeavor.

This thorough and careful process often produces a more accurate translation with deeper and more heartfelt meaning. In addition, our CAL is legally protected when we confirm translations, and the message of help and hope is protected from possible dilution or misunderstanding. Throughout the process, members are asked to act with responsibility and acceptance. They reach out to others and their Higher Power for help. They talk to each other and reason things out, trusting the overall process.

Our CAL brings the worldwide fellowship together. The independent review process shows how individual members can work for the good of Al‑Anon as a whole.

By Olivia S-G., Paralegal

The Forum, August 2026

One Message, Many Languages

Translating Conference Approved Literature - Part 2

Concept Eleven speaks to the abundance of talent among Al-Anon members that can be utilized to benefit the fellowship as a whole. How beautiful is that—each of us contributing our individual gifts for a greater purpose.

As an independent reviewer, I work with people who are very passionate about Al‑Anon. That passion carries into the work of translation and inspires a deeper search for meaning and understanding of our literature and our message, so that we can unite in our primary purpose—not only in words, but in spirit.

There are challenges. For example, in a literal translation, the word cornerstone becomes “a stone uniting two masonry walls” rather than foundation, which is the meaning intended by Al-Anon. These moments call for care, discussion, and discernment.

Through participating in this process, I am learning to distinguish my role and my responsibility: to do my part to the best of my ability and then let go of the outcome. I am learning about the links of service, delegation, and the right of decision-making. I am learning how to communicate my truth without an agenda or expectations.

A hidden benefit of this process has been learning, really, with my heart, that I don’t have to do anything alone. I don’t have to carry the weight or the pressure of the whole process—only my part. And even in my part, I am supported. I can check with fellow Al‑Anon members when questions arise. I can check with my Higher Power and pray. I am learning how to cooperate with others and with my Higher Power without feeling overwhelmed.

I continue to be amazed by the depth and beauty of our program by learning to focus on myself through the Steps, to help others through the Traditions, and to serve one another through the Concepts of Service.

I am very grateful to be a part of carrying the message of hope to a small country on the other side of the world. We truly are a worldwide fellowship.

Thank you, Al-Anon!

By Anonymous

The Forum, August 2026