 | AL-ANON |
Al-Anon offers understanding and support for families and friends of problem
drinkers, whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not. Alateen, a part of
Al-Anon, is for young people aged 12-20 who have been affected by someone
else's drinking, usually that of a parent. The parents, children, wives, husbands, friends and colleagues of alcoholics
could all be helped by Al-Anon and Alateen whether or not the drinker in their
lives recognises that a problem exists. At Al-Anon group meetings members receive comfort and understanding and
learn to cope with their problems through the exchange of experience, strength
and hope. The sharing of problems binds individuals and groups together in a
bond that is protected by a policy of anonymity; everything is confidential.
Members learn that there are things they can do to help themselves and
indirectly to help the problem drinker. Changed attitudes, which come from
greater understanding of the illness, may result in the drinker seeking help. Al-Anon is self-supporting through members' voluntary contributions and the
sale of its literature. The groups are non-professional and have no religious or other affiliations
and no opinions on outside issues. The History of Al-AnonIn the late 1930s in the United States, close relatives of recovering
alcoholics realised that they too needed help. They sought solutions by
following the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous and formed themselves into
family groups. In 1951 these groups were drawn together and became Al-Anon Family Groups. The first Al-Anon group in the UK and Eire was started in Belfast in 1952.
By 1960 there were eleven groups registered and in 1964 the first Alateen group
was established. By 1970 the number of groups had grown to 100. Since then
there has been rapid expansion and there are now approximately 1000 groups
meeting regularly throughout the UK and Eire. Worldwide more than 30,000 Al-Anon and Alateen groups meet in over 100
countries. Al-Anon and Alateen literature is produced in more than 25 languages. There
are nineteen books and over 55 pamphlets and booklets.
Al-Anon
61 Great Dover Street
London
SE1 4YF  020-7403 0888
 020-7378 9910
 http://www.hexnet.co.uk/alanon
Al-Anon Scotland
Room 338
Baltic Chambers
50 Wellington Street
Glasgow
G2 6HJ 0141-221 7356
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