Is Al-Anon for you?

If you are unsure whether Al-Anon is for you, it is best to start with the question: Is somebody’s drinking affecting you?

Al-Anon could be for you if:

• You regularly feel hurt, embarrassed or distressed by the drinker’s behaviour.
• You dread holidays and special occasions because you are worried that someone’s drinking will ruin them.
• You find yourself covering up for the actions of a drinker.
• You often prefer to stay away from home rather than spend time with the drinker.
• You discourage friends and other family members from visiting because of the drinker’s behaviour.
• You are ‘walking on eggshells’ because you fear you might set off a drinking bout or angry outburst.
• You have considered calling the Police because of a drinker’s behaviour.
• You feel everything would be OK if the alcoholic stopped drinking.

Is your life disrupted by someone’s drinking?

The alcoholic’s behaviour can disrupt your home life. You may be experiencing:

• Missed or irregular mealtimes.
• Late or disrupted bedtimes.
• Money problems.
• Missed appointments and social occasions.

Do you get the support you need at home?

Do you find yourself:

• Covering up your feelings, pretending you don’t care.
• Feeling you are unloved or not cared for.
• Blaming yourself, other members of the family, friends or life circumstances for the drinker’s behaviour.

Did you grow up with a drinker?

Did you grow up with parents, siblings or even a close family friend who was a drinker? If you did, you could still be suffering as a result of those experiences.

Whether your relationship with a drinker is in the past or present, Al-Anon is for you.

Are you feeling helpless?

Al-Anon can help you find a different way of coping with your relationship with an alcoholic. Al-Anon is here for you either as a first port of call or when you feel you have run out of ideas and have nowhere else to turn.