Support groups can be extremely valuable for your mental health, your spiritual health and maybe even your physical health if you’re heavily impacted by trauma or something similar in your life.

12-step programs are some of the most widely participated in support groups in the world. 12-step programs started with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which is the cornerstone of support groups for people who struggle with an addiction to alcohol.

Originally introduced in the 1930s, the 12-step framework has been expanded upon, and now there are a variety of support groups based on these concepts. The principles behind 12-step programs include the fact that you admit that you can’t control your alcoholism or addiction, but you also identify a higher power can give you strength.

There are 12-step support groups not only for people who personally have a substance abuse or compulsive behavioral problem but also for their loved ones. One such option is Al-Anon, which is a 12-step program for family and loved ones of alcoholics. How do you learn if Al-Anon is for you?

The following are things to know and consider with Al-Anon.

What Is Al-Anon?

Al-Anon is a support program not for people who are themselves an alcoholic, but whose lives have been affected by another person’s drinking. For example, friends and family members of alcoholics may decide to participate in Al-Anon. The objective of these groups is not only shared social support but also to help loved ones of alcoholics bring positive change to their own lives.

While Al-Anon is geared toward people who have a loved one with alcoholism, there’s also Nar-Anon, which is a similar group but specifically for people who love someone addicted to drugs.

Who Goes To Al-Anon?

There are three general groups of people that may find Al-Anon is beneficial in their life. First are adults who have been affected by someone else’s alcoholism in essentially any form.

This group can also work well for an adult who grew up with someone who was an alcoholic and was affected by it.

Al-Anon may also be a valuable support group for teens impacted by another person’s alcoholism.

The Al-Anon organization does point out that the goal isn’t to label people but is instead to help people understand if the group could be a good fit for them.

Are You Being Affected by Another Person’s Alcohol Use?

Alcoholism and addiction are often described as family diseases, because of the far-reaching impact they have on the lives of everyone involved. If you feel that you’re being affected by another person’s drinking or even if you were in the past, Al-Anon may likely have benefits for you.

The goal of Al-Anon isn’t to help you find ways to help the addict. Much of what’s learned in Al-Anon is centered on the fact that you don’t have control over another person.

Instead, you learn ways to help yourself. For example, you may be able to learn how to find happiness regardless of whether or not your loved one every receives treatment and stops drinking.

Meeting Topics

Al-Anon meetings will usually center on specific topics.

One of the biggest topics covered in Al-Anon is acceptance—in fact, this is a theme that carries across all 12-step programs. The idea is that you accept what you can and can’t change.

Another thing discussed often is the fact that alcoholism is a disease. It’s important for loved ones of alcoholics to understand this because that can then help them stop blaming themselves or taking certain things personally.

When you love an addict, you may have anger toward that person, and it may be difficult to control it sometimes. Al-Anon meetings can focus on helping you learn that anger is a natural emotion, but there are healthy ways to cope with it and express it.

What Can You Expect At Meetings?

Some people are unsure whether or not a support group like Al-Anon is right for them because they don’t know what to expect. First, Al-Anon is anonymous, and everyone who’s attending a meeting is someone who’s affected by alcoholism in some way.

During an Al-Anon meeting, no one is required to speak or participate in the discussion, and there are different types of meetings.

Finally, at its core, Al-Anon is a good way to gain social support. When your loved one is struggling with alcoholism you may feel alone or like no one can understand, and participation in Al-Anon can help you find people who not only understand but can relate through their own personal situations.

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