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 External link opens in new tab or windowHere


The following articles are reprinted from the June 2025 issue, with permission of  The Forum,

Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.,Virginia Beach, VA


I Am No Longer Alone            by Amy S.

     Before I came to Al-Anon, a counselor told me that my soul was dry.  I had no idea what she meant.  I was angry and frustrated, and I blamed others for my problems.  My dad drank too much, but I didn't know he was an alcoholic.  Growing up in a family where drinking was normal, I had no knowledge of the family disease.  I learned that I an am an adult child of an alcoholic and was encouraged to go to Al-Anon.  It made all the difference.
     I learned that I didn't cause the alcoholism, I couldn't control it, and I can't cure it.  I started to pray to something greater than myself even though I didn't know what that was.  In Al-Anon, I heard the suggestion to "act as if" to begin to develop trust in something.  I got a Sponsor and slowly started working the Steps .
     Now, I have faith that all is well and that I will be okay no matter what.  I believe in a loving Higher Power, and the fear that I once felt is gone, because I don't try to do everything myself.  I am no longer alone, and I look to my Higher Power whenever I need support.

Happiness Is My Choice           by Mary C.

     I started Al-Anon in my 30s.  I'm now in my 70s.  My perceptions of my alcoholic loved one have changed.  I used to blame him for everything.  If I was in a bad mood, it was because of him.  I was sure he made me feel irritable and unreasonable.  Then it dawned on me why I was feeling so angry at him: I wanted him to fulfill my every dream in life.  How selfish of me, expecting this man to give me the world.
     In Al-Anon I learned not to expect others to make me happy.  I was encouraged to start loving myself first.  I needed to take care of myself and not expect others to bring me joy.  I started doing what made me happy.  If I decided to do crafts, then I would do it.  If I wanted to do a yoga class, then I'd do it.  It was my choice.  Taking care of myself is my top priority.  No one can make me happy, lonely, angry, or depressed.  It is my choice if I want to feel these emotions.
     My husband and I began having a better relationship once I came to believe that I was the one responsible for my happiness.  I'm thankful I became a member of Al-Anon and that I stayed with this program that is working on me.  We are much happier since Al-Anon is a part of my life.

I Needed Help....and Support             by Nan E.

     When I first got into the program, I saw a sign hanging on the wall of a therapist's office that read, "When the pain is greater than the fear, then you are ready" - ready to change.  But because my fear was so large, it took a lot of pain and a long time to finally confront the reality that living in pain was not sustainable, and as scary as it was, I needed help.  I could not do this thing called life all by myself.  It takes support to raise a child.  I cannot fix myself, and I need a whole lot of help.
     I found my support in the rooms of Al-Anon.  I found that the help I need does not come in the form of things, although sometimes it can.  Mostly the help I need comes in the form of kindness and compassion.  Being surrounded by kindness and compassion, I finally learned to tell the truth about my life to others.  In learning to tell the truth and to get in touch with how I feel, I began to learn how to sit with my truth ands top running.  I learned how to listen to myself and how to trust myself.  I learned how to be kind and compassionate to myself.
     The kindess and compassion in the support of Al-Anon continues to help reinforce my self-kindness and self-compassion.  I, in turn find peace, sanity, and gratitude for my life.  From here, I want to give back to others some of the kindness and compassion that I was so generously and unconditionally given.