Ever Have a Sibling/Family Member Go Thru Al-Anon?
Question by Jim M.: Ever Have a Sibling/Family Member Go Thru Al-Anon?
I need a little help here.
My sister left her husband a few months ago and has been living with me ever since. I have a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo, so I had the room for her.
My sister left her husband because of his alcoholism. She tried to keep it hidden from everybody else, but after 3 years of marriage, it got too much for her. He wasn’t physically abusive towards her (I’ve seen her in her swimsuit and I’ve never noticed any marks/bruises/scars/etc on her) but she decided “enough is enough”. Since then, she’s been going through Al-Anon, which helps people who are friends/relatives/spouses of alcoholics.
My sister and I are pretty close (twins in fact) so I’m glad to help her out while she gets back on her feet. But every time I say something like “I could go for a beer right now.” she says things like, “That’s a sign of alcoholism.” Believe me, I am far from the road to alcoholism. There’s a difference between thinking the occasional beer would taste good and the absolute dependence on alcohol. Come to think of it, Susan mentions Al-Anon a lot, saying things like “That’s what they teach us” or “I’m learning this about alcohol.” In fact, she’s getting in everybody’s faces anytime anyone mentions alcohol.
I realize that Susan is going through a lot emotionally right now. What do I do or what should I say to her about alcohol? She should know that I’m not an alcoholic and she should know the difference between one who drinks to excess and one who has an occasional drink. Should I just let her speak her mind and get it out of her system? I support her decision to renounce alcohol (she says she’s never touching another drop of it for the rest of her life), but how do I get her to realize that the rest of the world isn’t going to stop for her? And how can I show her that I’m behind her 100%?
Best answer:
Answer by jessie
I do not know where susan got that from but it is not from Al Anon. I have been to al anon and never did they tell you anything like that not even in AA. I have read the AA book from beginning to end which is what Al Anon was formed from and it does not have that type of attitude. I think your sister is just hurt and she views alcohol negatively (can u blame her) but in time I am sure she will mellow out a little bit. Just give her time to adjust and heal. Also what you can do is go to an Al anon meeting with her a few times and if you are asked to share just let them know you are there for moral support and are trying to understand what your sister is going through.
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