How Alcoholism Affects the Entire Family
~By Jail Chaplain Joe Herzanek, Family Addiction Counselor and Author of “Why Don’t They Just Quit? What families and friends need to know about addiction and recovery.”
This article is included in the current FREE magazine download: Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism 2015 (Page 21).
Alcoholism is devastating to all members of the family. Family members may have watched someone they love turn into a stranger. They ask, “How did this happen? Why didn’t we see it sooner? Are we somehow to blame? How do we make it stop? What if we can’t make it stop? Why won’t this person listen to us? Can’t they see what’s happening to them?†The list is long.
From the shared experiences of Al-Anon members at meetings and in Al-Anon literature, the family learns that alcoholism is not their fault. With that understanding, some of the pressure is lifted. By attending Al-Anon meetings, my clients gain clarity and peace of mind, so that they can take positive action.
“My family phone counseling clients who attend Al-Anon meetings come to understand that they can have peace, regardless of their loved one’s poor choices.â€
Al-Anon supplements and reinforces the information I give my clients about alcoholism as a disease. My clients gain encouragement from attending Al-Anon meetings. The importance of this cannot be overstated.
Doing what’s best (which sometimes means doing nothing—but allowing consequences to happen) is often extremely challenging. Al-Anon members help and play a special role because they are like-minded and share common experiences as a result of living with an alcoholic.
My phone counseling clients who attend Al-Anon meetings come to understand that they can have peace, regardless of their loved one’s poor choices. Family members learn that recovery is a process that takes time. But they learn that they are not alone, and that help is available from the Al-Anon program.
FAMILY PHONE COUNSELING:
> Phone Counseling for Family Members
Gain peace of mind, knowing that you are taking the steps necessary to begin healing and recovery—for your loved-one and your family.
MORE Al-ANON-RELATED ARTICLES:
> Why is Addiction Called A Family Disease?
> Twelve Signs of A Spiritual Awakening in Al-Anon
> The Critical Role of Al-Anon in Family Addiction Recovery
> Are AA, Nar-Anon or Al-Anon twelve-step meetings really important?
RESOURCES:
> Books and DVDs for families of substance abusers and addicts
> Phone Counseling for Family Members
> Recommended Books and DVDs for families of substance abusers and addicts
> Low cost, No cost Alcohol and Drug Treatment Directory
> Drug Addiction and Alcoholism Recovery Resources for Friends, Families and Employers
Get the help you need today.
“Why Don’t They Just Quit?
What families and friends need to know
about addiction and recoveryâ€
To arrange a workshop or presentation at your organization
call: 303.775.6493 or email: Jherzanek@gmail.com
More info about Speaking Engagements with Author/Chaplain Joe Herzanek
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