FAMILY members and friends affected by the alcoholism of another person in their life are invited to seek support at local meetings.
\nThe non-denominational and confidential Al-Anon Family Group runs twice a week at St Peters Church Hall.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s a general discussion group,\u201d said group representative Janine. \u201cWhat you hear here, what you see here, what you say here, remains in the room.
\n\u201cWe have a set agenda with our meetings, reading through the 12 steps and traditions, and read conference approved literature.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s a gentle program, and people are not to crosstalk over anyone else. Everybody is listened to, there is no advice given, no judgement, and no pressure.
\n\u201cWe ask newcomers to try six meetings, and to keep coming back. As people come back and keep sharing, they often form relationships and can call one another for support.\u201d
\nJanine has been attending for more than two years and said she has noticed a sense of fellowship develop amongst attendees who relate to one another.
\n\u201cYou hear stories and they\u2019re your story,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s just told in a different way.\u201d
\nFor Janine, alcoholism has been the \u201cfamily disease.\u201d
\nFive years ago, her husband who was also an alcoholic, died.
\n\u201cBecause of the shame, you go into denial, you go into yourself, you feel guilt,\u201d she said.
\n\u201cMy sister said I should give Al-Anon meetings a go, and it changed my life.
\n\u201cSome come for relief, I came for recovery. Slowly it\u2019s unravelled a tight knot.\u201d
\nThe meetings run at 1pm on Tuesdays and 5pm on Thursdays for a maximum of 90 minutes, with tea and coffee provided.
\nThey include non-denominational spiritual principles, and people more broadly impacted by another person\u2019s addiction, separate from alcohol, are also welcome.
\nNewcomers receive a pack with information, and attendees are given readers and books relating to alcoholism.
\nAl-Anon Family Group is a not-for-profit, and on any day of the week, people can tune into a meeting online.
\n\u201cAny meeting you go to anywhere in the world runs with the same format,\u201d Janine said.
\nSt Peters Church Hall is on Leviathan Place. Visit al-anon.org.au<\/b>\u00a0for more information.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FAMILY members and friends affected by the alcoholism of another person in their life are invited to seek support at local meetings. The non-denominational and confidential Al-Anon Family Group runs twice a week at St Peters Church Hall. \u201cIt\u2019s a general discussion group,\u201d said group representative Janine. \u201cWhat you hear here, what you see here, […]<\/p>\n