100% Better

I knew I was spiritually sick and needed help, but it took me years to step into the rooms of Al-Anon because fear and shame overwhelmed me. After my first meeting, I felt 100% better and kept coming back because I wanted to continue getting better. Eventually my relationships with my spouse and children improved.

My parents are alcoholics. In Al-Anon, I'm slowly learning to accept them exactly as they are. In working on Step Four with some Al-Anon members, I learned one of the most important lessons of my life—I have a part in everything. Whether it's how I feel, think, or act, I'm responsible for my feelings, thoughts, and actions. What a wonderful gift! I got my power back. I no longer felt that people had control over me.

I can choose how I want to respond or whether I want to respond at all. I can choose not to take things personally and I can choose not to have committee meetings in my head. My parents continue to drink and I continue to feel pain because of it, but I still love them. I try to pass on to my parents the gifts of Al-Anon by allowing them to be who they are.

By Carol B., Kentucky
The Forum, March 2006