If you still have questions, and you would like to talk to a member or want to know more about the meeting closest to you, feel free to call 0508 4 ALANON (0508 425 266) to talk to a member close to you. Please note this is not the number for the NZ Al-Anon General
Anyone concerned by another’s drinking will benefit from attending an Al-Anon meeting. Initially there is the simple relief of realising you are not alone, and there are then many useful tools to help with dealing with another’s drinking. You do not have to decide to become a member, you may just attend a variety of
There are no dues or fees in Al-Anon and Alateen meetings. Most groups pass a basket for voluntary contributions. Members are asked to contribute what they can afford, so that the group can pay rent, provide literature, and offer support to local and worldwide service centres.
Members of the groups are people affected by someone else’s drinking. They may be parents, children, spouses, partners, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandchildren, other family members, friends, employers, employees, and coworkers of alcoholics. No matter what our specific experience has been we share a common bond: we feel our lives have been affected by someone else’s
Meetings are typically anywhere from one hour to one and a half hours. They vary slightly as every meeting is autonomous and sets its’ own timeframes.
Yes. The focus of Al-Anon is to solve the common problems experienced by families and friends of alcoholics. However, you are welcome to attend Al-Anon meetings to see if you can relate to what people talk about, and then decide if the Al-Anon program might be helpful to you.
Typically a sharing meeting will open with a standard explanation and then The Twelve Steps and The Twelve Traditions (and often The Twelve Concepts of Service) will be read. After that there will be a small amount of administration. The chair person (who will often change from week to week) will announce the topic and
You are always welcome to simply listen and learn during meetings – there is no pressure to speak. Newcomers are warmly welcomed and usually provided helpful information to support their understanding (e.g., a Newcomers Pack). Some cities and towns also offer special Newcomer meetings designed especially for those who are new to Al-Anon Family Groups.
We suggest you visit this link to our page listing meetings across New Zealand http://al-anon.org.nz/meetings to select a meeting time and place that works for you.
No there is no requirement to make an appointment. You can attend any meeting whose location and time work for you. We suggest initially that you try a variety of meetings. Alateen groups often meet at the same time and location as an Al-Anon group. Alateen meetings are open only to teenagers (and sometimes pre-teen