A Special Welcome to Newcomers

For some of us, Al-Anon was a last resort: we were in pain, we were desperate, some of us had abandoned hope. We came to our first meeting, and we kept coming, to find relief from the terrible pain we had grown so accustomed to feeling. We knew that our suffering was related to someone else's drinking and we knew we were unable to lead a normal life because of it.

As a Newcomer, your inquiry will be treated with confidentiality and anonymity. Al-Anon has but one purpose: To help families of alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps, by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics, and by giving understanding and encouragement to the alcoholic.

Al-Anon's simplicity is reflected in the tools of the program: the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, the Serenity Prayer, slogans, sponsorship, Conference Approved Literature, The Forum magazine, and the special gift of Al-Anon/Alateen members' sharing from the heart. These simple tools help us cut through all the negativity and confusion, reminding us that beyond our individual differences is a spiritual core that unifies us and helps us find serenity. This is what makes us better and this is what keeps us coming.