Title: How Al-anon Works: for Families and Friends of Alcoholics
Author: An-anon Family Groups
Usefulness to Divorced Breadwinner Moms: ♦♦♦♦♦
Synopsis: Al-anon is a program for families and friends of alcoholics. This book, one of many pieces of Al-anon literature, offers experience, strength, and hope to those whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking (or other addictions). The book provides an overview of how the Al-anon program works, including introducing its basic concepts, briefly describing the twelve steps from an Al-anon perspective, and including stories from a broad range of family members and friends of alcoholics who have found healing and hope by practicing the principles of the program in their lives.
Who Would Benefit? A large number of breadwinner moms are affected by alcoholism, including many women who are still married to someone whose alcoholism or drug abuse is affecting the family. Those who decide to divorce often find themselves needing to work since there is no other source of income, especially once an active addition progresses to later stages. Even if there is no active alcoholism in the family at present, this book is an excellent introduction to the principles of the Al-anon program for divorced breadwinner moms and those contemplating divorce. Breadwinner moms and divorced breadwinner moms, this book is especially helpful to those of you who struggle with trying to exert control over others (without success), “martyrdom” at work or at home, keeping the peace at any price, putting your own needs last, ongoing anger or resentment (especially at a spouse or former spouse), and any of you who grew up in a home where alcoholism or drug abuse was present.
Why I Picked it Up: The first Al-anon meeting I attended read from this book each week, and it is the one most often recommended to newcomers at meetings if they are seeking an understanding of the twelve step program. One of Al-anon’s traditions is anonymity at the level of press, radio, film and tv, which as I general rule I extend to the Internet as well. Since Winona Judd listed How Al-anon Works as one of her top three favorite books in a prominent magazine not too long ago, I thought I would emphasize its useful to divorced breadwinner moms without providing personal details online.
What I Liked: This book offers an excellent overview of the Al-anon program, just as its title suggests. The explanations are clear, concise and non-threatening, yet long-time program members can also learn from periodic re-readings. The book is best used in conjunction with attendance at Al-anon meetings and working the twelve step program with a sponsor, but for busy divorced breadwinner moms, or those not yet ready for a meeting, you can still get some very helpful tips and suggestions from the book on its own. For those who want more after reading, check out http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/ for meeting schedules, additional resources and more information.
What I Didn’t Like: There are no “musts” in Al-anon. Its “take what you like and leave the rest” philosophy makes it easy to look up particular topics without having to swallow the whole book all at once. Thus, there’s nothing not to like.
