Al-Anon info requested

[Colonel Schwartz]

I'm sure some of you have been to Al-Anon. What is it about?

My girlfriend is supporting me in my recovery and has been attending meetings with me. Open and closed meetings. She and I would both like to know if she should be going to Al-Anon meetings or is it okay for her to go to meetings with me.

She's very good at detecting my BS so I really don't think she has anything to learn where that's concerned. She also says she gets a lot out of hearing it straight from the people who share at my meetings. I have a great group and they apparently have no problem having her there.

Anything you could share on this subject would be helpful.

[NMDemDist2]

1. she may enjoy having a program of her own

there's something to be said for having a place without your SO to talk about things that may be hurtful to hear for the spouse.

and as a SO she shouldn't be coming to closed meetings UNLESS she thinks she may have a drinking problem.

it's wonderful you have a supportive person in your life, but being joined at the hip isn't always the healthiest thing. hopefully she'll enjoy her 'own' time while you go to closed meetings alone. if she wants to use some of that time to check out Alanon, more power to her!

[Harryabc]

2. She should go to Al-Anon

Al-Anon is the BEST thing she could do to support herself (and SECONDLY) you. I'm not sure how long you have been in recovery, but if you are working a good program, and secure in your program, she should just go to Al-Anon (assuming she's not an alcoholic). Going to AA every now and then is OK, but it very different from having her own program, completely separate from yours.

[MrsBrady]

3. there is certainly no problem with

her going to open meetings...

but really...she needs to go to her own meetings (Al-anon) for her own program.
she'll need to do it for herself, just as you are doing your meetings for you.

But closed meetings, as I understand it, are for people that need to find sobriety.

http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/is-alanon-for-you

I would have posted sooner, but I just saw your post from the 6th.

Good luck.

[Iggo]

4. No offense, but I'd toss her out of a closed meeting.

Open meetings and Al-Anon are the places for her.