When our 18-year-old son’s alcoholism became evident, it was one of many stressors in my husband’s and my marriage. After the initial shock, then began the finger-pointing and blaming. “If only’s” were the topic of many conversations.
3 C's
Row Your Own Boat
I’ve heard boundaries described as rowing your own boat and letting others row theirs. When I first realized my son was using alcohol and drugs, I immediately abandoned my boat and jumped into his to take over the oars.
Al-Anon’s Gifts
I came into Al-Anon exhausted, confused, depressed, afraid, and feeling insane.
Al-Anon’s first gift to me was hope, hope my life could get better. Then I received an epiphany: “It is OK to love an alcoholic/addict.”
Who Would You Be?
Who would you be if you were not afraid?
Only in Al-Anon would I ever be asked this question. And the answer is a deep-dive into this recovery program that has taken me from fear and resentment into a place of peace and serenity thanks to the willingness of others to share their experience, strength and hope.
3 H’s
Al-Anon has a lot of slogans and catch phrases to help us remember how to practice the program. For example, there are our “alphabet” reminders.
3 A’s: Awareness, Acceptance, Action
3 C’s: didn’t Cause it, can’t Control or Cure it
3 G’s: Get off their back, Get out of the way, Get on with your life