Ypu know what?
I have been a member of Alanon for more than 20 years. For those who don’t know what this is…it is a program of recovery for families and friends of alcoholics.
I am but one voice of a way of life which helps people deal with the effects of alcoholism on family and friends.
The list of effects is looooong and everyone who comes through the doors is able to identify with at least a few of the myriad of consequences of growing up with or loving someone with this chronic disease.
There are no dues or fees and the only requirement for “membership” is that a person has been effected by someone else’s drinking.( This program is based on the same 12 steps as Alcoholics Anonymous which found its Genesis in the 1930’s.)
When everything else I tried had little or no long term results, I walked through the door and finally found my home and family.
I was a sick person, having grown up in the disease of alcoholism and then marrying into it. I only really knew how to survive in life, skills which children learn at a very young age.
With 2 children of my own, I realized I had no clue how to raise healthy children and finally broke!
Please stay with me here.
I have found a life of dignity in the rooms of recovery.
Why? Because people “Listened” to my woeful tales until I got tired of hearing my own story.
They did not judge me. They hugged me and told me to keep coming back.
I gained a new trajectory for life and for the most part, I am happy.
Life still happens, I experience periods of sadness and anger and the full range of human emotions.
What I find so very curious is that there are so few people of color who embrace this program of recovery.
I know there are any number of people who have been effected by the disease of alcoholism of all colors.
So where are the women, children and men of color who have been effected, as I was???
It saddens me to know that there are people who remain disconnected from the healing which takes place with the walls of the rooms, and beyond!!!
Everyone is welcome.
Any thoughts?