Is Al-Anon Right for Me?
September 30, 2011 in new slideshow, Slideshow
Are you troubled by someone’s drinking? Are you wondering if Al-Anon is for you? Take the following questionnaire to help you decide whether or not you need Al-Anon.
Millions of people are affected by the excessive drinking of someone close. The following questions are designed to help you decide whether or not you need Al-Anon:
1. Do you worry about how much someone drinks?
2. Do you have money problems because of someone else’s drinking?
3. Do you tell lies to cover up for someone else’s drinking?
4. Do you feel that if the drinker cared about you, he or she would stop drinking to please you?
5. Do you blame the drinker’s behavior on his or her companions?
6. Are plans frequently upset or canceled or meals delayed because of the drinker?
7. Do you make threats, such as, “If you don’t stop drinking, I’ll leave you”?
8. Do you secretly try to smell the drinker’s breath?
9. Are you afraid to upset someone for fear it will set off a drinking bout?
10. Have you been hurt or embarrassed by a drinker’s behavior?
11. Are holidays and gatherings spoiled because of drinking?
12. Have you considered calling the police for help in fear of abuse?
13. Do you search for hidden alcohol?
14. Do you ever ride in a car with a driver who has been drinking?
15. Have you refused social invitations out of fear or anxiety?
16. Do you feel like a failure because you can’t control the drinking?
17. Do you think that if the drinker stopped drinking, your other problems would be solved?
18. Do you ever threaten to hurt yourself to scare the drinker?
19. Do you feel angry, confused, or depressed most of the time?
20. Do you feel there is no one who understands your problems?
If you have checked any of these questions, Al-Anon or Alateen may be able to help. Find a meeting now
Does Al-Anon have any special program or insights into elderly drinking problems? My mother is 77 and I think she’s trying to drink herself to death. (Her religion believes that suicide is a mortal sin.) None of her doctors can provide any insight, though several of them have confided that this is a common problem. Can Al-Anon help me?
Hi Rick,
There are no age limits on alcoholism. Al-Anon can help, it is for families and friends of problem drinkers. Try attending at least 6 meetings, there is help available for you.
I answered the last 3 or 4 questions. Still not sure if this is right for me. I’ve had mainly childhood alcoholism in my family, my parents. my father passed away, my mother is alive and still drinks. my sister was on something but passed away. my husband is a recovering alcoholic. do u think this is right for me?
Kristi, Only you can answer that question. What I can tell you, is that many of Al-Anon members have a similar history to yours. Why not try 6 or so meetings, to give it a chance to answer if Al-Anon is right for you? The link for the current meetings is: http://oaklandafg.org/meetings/.
Not sure that my husband is actually an alcoholic
If you are not sure, why not try attending a few Al-Anon meetings to get a better understanding, and then you can decide. Find a meeting here: http://oaklandafg.org/meetings