The selections that follow are offered as suggestions for meeting topics or as optional readings in the group meeting format, as determined by the group conscience. They contain wisdom and information many members and groups have found helpful.
When newcomers or visitors are present, the group may want to read an explanation of anonymity, such as:
“Members use their full names within the fellowship when they wish. The degree of anonymity a member chooses (first name, pseudonym, or full name) is not subject to criticism. Each member has the right to decide.
“Regardless of our personal choice, we guard the anonymity of everyone else in the fellowship, Al-Anon/Alateen, and A.A. This means not revealing to anyone—even to relatives, friends, and other members—whom we see and what we hear at a meeting.
“Anonymity goes well beyond mere names. All of us need to feel secure in the knowledge that nothing seen or heard at a meeting will be revealed. We feel free to express ourselves among our fellow Al-Anons because we can be sure that what we say will be held in confidence.”
(From “Anonymity” in the “Digest of Al-Anon and Alateen Policies” section of theAl-Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27). More information on anonymity, both within and outside the fellowship, can be found in this portion.)
The Twelve Steps suggest acceptance of four primary ideas:
1. We are powerless over the problem of alcoholism. When we can honestly accept this truth, it brings us a feeling of release and hope. We can now turn our full attention to bringing our own lives into order. We can go forward to spiritual growth, to the comfort and peace to be gained from the entire program.
2. We can turn our lives over to a Power greater than ourselves. Now that our well-meant aid to the alcoholic has ended in failure and our own lives have become unmanageable, we realize we cannot deal with our problem objectively, perhaps not even sanely. In Al-Anon we find a Power greater than ourselves which can direct our lives into quiet, useful channels. At first this Power m
