Three Al-Anon Meetings That Changed Everything

I found the answers I had been seeking for 19 years

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On a gray and wet Saturday morning in late February 2017, I awoke early determined to finally go to an Al-Anon meeting. I held my breath and gripped the steering wheel as I drove to the church where the meeting was held. I steeled myself against the fear I felt.

For years I had imagined having the courage to go to a meeting. As an introvert it’s hard enough to put myself in a position to do something new with strangers, much less something that was so emotionally charged. But by 2017, I had been married to an alcoholic for nearly 19 years and I was coming unraveled. The time had finally come to face my fears and do something to help myself.

Admittedly, I had no idea what to expect from this group. I heard about Al-Anon from several people in my life over the years who I had been brave enough to let in and confess what I was dealing with in my marriage. I had done a bit of research, dabbled in a very rudimentary chat room a few times, but that had been it. I took it on faith that in these meetings I would find the answers I sought.

But what were the questions I needed answered?

There were many.