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YOU KNOW? |
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AL-ANON
is a spiritual program, not a religious one.
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AL-ANON,
a non-denominational program, is compatible with
all religious beliefs.
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Religious
institutions are the primary location for AL-ANON
meetings throughout the world.
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The clergy has come to recognize that alcoholism is a complex
disease; it affects not only the alcoholic but the entire
family emotionally, spiritually and physically. It erodes
family bonds, and it often isolates family members from others
in their community.
As a member of the clergy, you are in a unique position to
help when families and friends of problem drinkers seek
guidance from you. But first you need to recognize the ripple
effects of alcoholism and help the family break down the
roadblocks of their denial. The wife of an alcoholic may come
to you, for instance, complaining about violence, problems
with her children, lack of financial support, or lack of
communication.
AL-ANON members describe the kinds of stories you're likely
to hear: "...it's been another harrowing weekend...
Jim didn't come home Friday night-payday and when he finally
showed up around 6:00 AM Saturday, he was disheveled and had
hardly anything left of his paycheck. Later in the day, he
beat one of the children for playing too loudly. Saturday
night he went out and got drunk again and Sunday he took his
feeling out on me."
Another member of your congregation makes an appointment to
see you. He unburdens a tale of woe you had no idea existed in
his home. He describes scenes of anguish: finding his infant
son unattended in the crib when he comes home from work, his
wife passed out drunk on the kitchen floor. You've seen the
family together at services and find it hard to believe this
attractive woman can be as her husband describes her.
A member of the clergy, who is familiar with the problems
facing families of alcoholics, offers advice to his peers:
"One of the greatest services an enlightened clergy can
perform once the presence of alcoholism has been acknowledged,
is to suggest that the non-alcoholic partner take advantage of
the tremendous resources of help and healing available in AL-ANON....
Once the spouse of an alcoholic has found the acceptance and
understanding of the AL-ANON fellowship, emotional and
spiritual growth begins...The AL-ANON program teaches a change
in attitude and style of living and members of the fellowship
who thus develop new priorities for their lives, are able to
make a significant spiritual contribution to any religious
community."
"This isn't, however, to minimize the contribution of
the counselor. The family's frequent lack of understanding of
the forces at work in alcoholism, demands considerable insight
and interpretation on the part of the counselor. It requires
much more than passive listening. Such counseling is, in
effect, two persons working together to explore and resolve a
problem." (Taken from "The Clergy and the Family
Disease" in AL-ANON FACES ALCOHOLISM by AFG, Inc.)
These materials are adapted and reprinted with permission of Al-Anon Family
Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA
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