We are here for you.

Alcoholism is a family disease. The disease affects all those who have a relationship with a problem drinker. Those of us closest to the alcoholic suffer the most, and those who care the most can easily get caught up in the behavior of another person. We react to the alcoholic’s behavior. We focus on them, what they do, where they are, how much they drink. We try to control their drinking for them. We take on the blame, guilt, and shame that really belong to the drinker. We can become as addicted to the alcoholic, as the alcoholic is to alcohol. We, too, can become ill.​ In Al-anon, we learn to find peace and serenity in our daily lives whether our loved-one is drinking or not.

Although the primary purpose of Al-Anon is to support the families and friends of alcoholics, we welcome all those affected by the disease of addiction.  If you are looking support group for those affected by a loved one's drug addiction, you can find out more on the Nar-Anon website, Nar-Anon.org.

Who we are.

Al-Anon members are people just like you and me–people who have been affected by someone else’s drinking or addiction. They are parents, children, spouses, partners, brothers, sisters, other family members, friends, employers, employees, and coworkers of alcoholics and/or addicts. We also welcome those in recovery who seek to learn how to live with the alcoholics and addicts in their lives. No matter what our specific experience has been we share a common bond: we feel our lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking.

​What to expect.

The following are guidelines for newcomers as they attend their first meetings:
  • There will be time before and after the meeting to ask questions, and someone will always be willing to listen. When we share in the meetings we try to remain focused on solutions, not the problem.
  • You are not required to speak during the meeting, and no one will call on you, but you are welcome share as you feel comfortable.
  • Every meeting is different, and each group sets the length of their meeting.  However, all meetings start and end on time, and most meetings last one hour. 
  • People volunteer to chair meeting, and the topics for discussion will vary. Only conference approved literature is used in the meetings.  Most meetings will have material for you to use until you are ready to purchase it for yourself.
  • Al‑Anon recommends that you try at least six different meetings before you decide if Al‑Anon will be helpful to you.
  • There are no dues or fees in Al-Anon 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 centers.
  • Al-Anon Family Groups is a spiritual fellowship, not a religious one. We avoid discussion of specific religious doctrine, and members of all faiths (or of none) are welcome.
  • One of the Al-Anon program’s basic principles is that of anonymity. Meetings are confidential, and we do not disclose whom we see or what we hear at meetings to anyone.
  • The meetings are on a walk-in basis. Al‑Anon has no membership list, and does not take attendance. You’re welcome to attend as frequently or infrequently as you choose. There is never any obligation. 

Additional Resources

If you are looking for additional information regarding the Al-Anon Family Groups, please visit the National Website where you will find more answers.
Find a Meeting
By Day
There is an Al-Anon meeting available somewhere in NELA almost every day of the week.  Search for a meeting by day of the week.
By Location
Within NELA, Al-Anon meetings are available in Ruston. West Monroe, Monroe, and Columbia.  You can also use the interactive map to find meeting locations.
By Type
Find meetings that are on-line or in person.
Literature
​While many groups sell and distribute literature, you can also purchase any materials from the Al-Anon Online Store. 
Literature often used in meetings and in recovery:
Daily Readers: One Day at a Time, Courage to Change, Hope for Today
Step Study: Paths to Recovery, Reaching for Personal Freedom, Blueprint for Progress
In-Depth: Survival to Recovery, Discovering Choices, How Al-Anon Works for Families & Friends of Alcoholics
pamphlets
other Materials