25 April 2011
By Aniruddha Ghosal
New Delhi, India
It was a lazy Sunday afternoon at St Columba’s School, but its auditorium was buzzing with activity. Almost a hundred people from Al–Anon/Alateen and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)had gatheredtofight a common enemy.
"The entire purpose of my life had been to see my father sober but even after I had succeeded, I couldn’t be happy. My life was void of meaning. Other people couldn’t understand it. Honestly, neither could I. I used to think that some sick part of mewanted myfather tokeep drinking sothatit would give purpose to my own life. If it hadn’t been for Al–Anon, I might have even killed myself," recalls a member of Al–Anon.
Al–Anon and Alateen are twin international fellowships – also known as the Al–Anon Family groups – designed with the sole purpose of helping thosefamiliesthat are adversely affectedby alcoholism. While Al–Anon supports family members and friends of alcoholics, Alateen helps young people, generally between the ages of 13–19, whoseliveshavebeen affectedby drinking.
An AA member, whose family was also present attheAl–Anon gathering,explained: "People think that alcoholism only affects the alcoholic. Butthat’s nottrue.Ichasedthebottle and myfamily chased me.Itwas an unending process andleft us disconsolate. My family needed help as much as I did. Just the acknowledgment of the fact that even they werein troublewas very comforting."
The Al–Anon Family Groups lends a helping handtothose affectedby alcoholism and provides a platform for discussion of problems afflicting them. The group helps family members realize that alcoholism is a disease and something they have no control over. Al–Anon members who have relatives in AA said alcoholics’ rate of recovery significantly improved after joining Al–Anon. "It helped me understand my husband’s behaviour. I could nowunderstandhiscraving for alcohol."
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