Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there something like al-anon but without the religion/god/prayer aspects?

Get out of it what you can. It is like any support group. You don't have to believe.

I go to Naranon. I believe in God, but not in a lot of their higher power stuff. There are a lot of things about an addict one can't simply outsource to God.

I also don't believe in the "you just have to let them hit bottom" stuff I heard repeatedly at the two Al-Anon meetings I went to. (Not an Al-Anon principle but you would have thought so from the meetings.) I don't hear it at NarAnon, probably because bottom for most addicts is death with the needle still stuck in the arm.

Anonymous wrote:Is there something like al-anon but without the religion/god/prayer aspects?

They tell you to sub god for a 'higher power within'. I only went a few times, but don't remember any prayer or religion at all.

Yes it can get better but the person has to want to get better. I know someone who was a drug addict but got help and is now fine. She goes to meetings still to make sure she doesn't slip back into old habits and she has managed to have a successful career. It's hard. There's not much you can do until the person wakes up and realizes it's a problem.

My MIL has been an alcoholic for 40+ years. She will never change. We see her very rarely because she will not change. Our good friend is an alcoholic and now hardly has a relationship with his young children. My relative is an alcoholic and is loosing custody ohibernate child. For all of them booze comes first and it is everyone else's fault. And yet young people keep binge drinking thinking that nothing bad will happen to them. OP I am sorry that you are having a hard time but just know that so many people are in situations like you. I really wish everyone would just give up alcohol. The world would be a better place.

Anonymous wrote:Is there something like al-anon but without the religion/god/prayer aspects?

Get out of it what you can. It is like any support group. You don't have to believe.

DH is an alcoholic/addict. Has 20+ years of sobriety.

Anonymous wrote:Go to Al-Anon - it's a program for family of addicts. They will show you how it can get better for YOU - whether the addict is using or not. Highly recommend, it's free, and there are meetings everywhere.

Hugs to you.

+12

Take a look at this guys recovery. talk about a hell of a ride.

now he spends his time talking to the kids at high schools

http://www.theherrenproject.org/

Anonymous wrote:My brother was a functional alcoholic for 20+ years and eventually spiraled out of control (eg jail time).

He has now been fully sober for 4 years and returned to a great job.

What turned him around?

Is there something like al-anon but without the religion/god/prayer aspects?

My brother has been sober for 5 years. Before that he went to rehab 3 times. Relapse is part of recovery. You cant control the addict only yourself. Good luck to you and your loved one.

My Mom just finished in rehab (both alcohol & narcotic addiction) and earned her 30 day chip last week. While her addiction wasn't pretty, it didn't directly affect our relationship. She seems to be much happier after her 28 day stay and I'm proud of her for learning new coping mechanisms.

My brother was a functional alcoholic for 20+ years and eventually spiraled out of control (eg jail time).

He has now been fully sober for 4 years and returned to a great job.

Go to Al-Anon - it's a program for family of addicts. They will show you how it can get better for YOU - whether the addict is using or not. Highly recommend, it's free, and there are meetings everywhere.

Hugs to you.

Anyone?

Please tell me that it can get better someday.