I came into Al‑Anon angry, hurting, and confused as to how I managed a career, but seemed to consistently fail in my personal relationships. I had no idea that being raised in an alcoholic home had affected me so deeply. More importantly, I never had hope that life could be any different. But through my distress and pain, I landed in Al‑Anon where I found others who understood me. I’ll never forget the moment I heard them share and discovered that our stories sounded the same—I was no longer alone!

My struggles did not go away immediately, but at the urging of other members, I kept coming back. When I began working with a Sponsor and authentically began studying the Steps, my life began to improve. Today, even though some of the relationships ended that I had so desperately tried to force, I have fallen in love with the life I have. Al‑Anon gave me hope and a brand-new way to see the world.

By Kay A., Oklahoma

The Forum, April 2021

 

Feel free to reprint this article on your service arm website or in your newsletter, along with this credit line: Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA.