In September, Al-Anon members from around Ontario will meet in Chatham to celebrate 71 years of recovery here in the Chatham area.
Former celebrations welcomed members from Chatham Kent, Windsor and Essex County, Sarnia, London, Greater Toronto and beyond.
Al-Anon Family Groups, established in 1951, offers help and hope to anyone who has been affected by a loved one’s drinking.
Al-Anon Family Groups understands the importance of family recovery from the effects of alcoholism.
“Sometimes it is easy to see what alcohol is doing to the drinker,” says a local member.
“It may be more difficult to see what it is doing to the rest of the family.”
Organizers say people learn in Al-Anon that “we can be happy whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not.”
“We have permission from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) to use their 12 steps and traditions,” organizers said in a media release.
“We cooperate with, but are not affiliated with Alcoholics Anonymous or any treatment center. Al-Anon Family Groups meet in more than 130 countries, and Al-Anon/Alateen books and pamphlets are available in over 40 languages. In Chatham Kent, family members can attend meetings in Chatham, Tilbury, Wallaceburg and Ridgetown.”
Organizers added: “Since the onset of COVID, many virtual meetings have also formed, where members from across the globe share their experience strength and hope with others. What is shared during meetings is confidential, and the anonymity of members is strictly protected. There are no dues for membership.”
Al-Anon Family Groups is completely self-supporting through voluntary contributions from its members and sale of its literature.
The non-profit organization declines contributions from non-members, and accepts no outside funding from government, foundations, or other agencies.
For more information about Al-Anon Family Groups, go to alanon.org to view a copy of “Al- Anon Faces Alcoholism 2019” or to listen to a “First Steps to AlAnon Recovery” podcast.
To find a local meeting, call 519-350-3462, visit al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings, or call toll-free: 1-888-4AL-ANON.
