How to Start an Al-Anon Family Group

To help them, you must help yourself first

Al-Anon Family Groups are groups that consist of people who are dealing with someone else's drinking. Members are people who seek support from other members whose lives are affected by the drinking problems of a loved one. Al-Anon groups are non-denominational and strive to maintain member anonymity. An Al-Anon group provides gentle support for those dealing with someone's alcoholism and offers tools for coping with the day-to-day stresses of living with an alcoholic.

Instructions

1. Call or write to the corporate headquarters in Virginia for current meeting places in your area. The address is 1600 Corporate Landing Parkway, Virginia Beach, VA 23454 and the telephone number is (888) 4AL-ANON. You can also visit the main headquarter website to find out this information (see Resources). Armed with the numbers of existing groups, determine whether another group in your area is needed. Existing area group members will be more than happy to talk to you and assist you.

2. Contact the WSO (World Service Organization) to express interest in starting an Al-Anon Family Group in your area. You can do this via phone or online (see Resources). The registration form is only one page long and comes with directions.

3. Locate a place to have your meeting. You can have meetings at religious facilities, schools, hospitals and other public facilities. Remember that Al-Anon is non-denominational and accepts members of all faiths or no faith at all. Make that clear when you requesting to use a religious facility.

4. Decide the day and time your group will meet. Check with other groups in your surrounding area to help you determine what is the best time for your group. Just because there are other groups in your area, it does not mean that your group is not needed.

5. Choose a name for your group. You can choose to use a name that reflects your location, day of meeting or a slogan from one of literature of the 12-step program. AFG or Al-Anon will follow this name. Some examples are Bay Area AFG, New Day AFG, Monday Night Al-Anon and Peace Seekers Beginners Group.

Tips & Warnings

• Al-Anon groups elect a group representative (GR) once there are enough members. If you are the one starting group, you will serve as the GR until there are enough members to hold an election. Check the Al-Anon website for more information. The WSO will send you all the information you need to get started with your group after they receive your registration.

• Don't start an Al-Anon group if you are also a recovering alcoholic. The WSO will not register an Al-Anon group to those who are also members of AA. Those members must attend their local AA groups. Don't start a group if you are not completely committed to being there every meeting. While the group grows, the members will depend on you for support.

Resources

• Instructions to Register a New Group
• Al-Anon/Alateen Organization
• How to Locate a Meeting