The members of Al-Anon and Alateen understand how it feels to come to a meeting for the first time. Since there may be a few things you are wondering about, we would like to share with you some answers to often asked questions about the group and what happens at our meetings.

Who are the members and why are they here? Members are all kinds of people from all walks of life: wives, husbands, lovers, sisters, brothers, children and parents of alcoholics. No matter what our relationship has been with a problem drinker, we share a common bond: we feel our lives have been deeply affected by another person's drinking. We meet together to share our experience, strength and hope.

How will it help me?
You will probably hear about a situation much like your own. If you don't find someone with the same set of circumstances, you may still be able to identify with the way many of us feel about the effects of alcoholism in our lives. We are all individuals striving to become the best people we can, each in our own way. That way is not the same for each of us, but there is help for everyone whose problem is alcoholism in others.

Do I have to say anything?
If you wish to speak, please do. If you would rather sit and listen, that's all right, too. We try to listen to each other with an open mind. We also say, "Take what you like and leave the rest."

Will anyone say I've been here?
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of our program. It provides a safe place for members to share. We use first names and last initials. We do not talk about the people we see, or repeat what we hear at meetings. We guard the anonymity of all Al-Anon/Alateen and AA members.

Is this a religious fellowship?
Al-Anon is a spiritual fellowship, not a religious one. Members of any faith, or none at all, are welcome and we make it a point to avoid discussion of specific religious beliefs. The Al-Anon program is based on the spiritual idea that we can depend on a Power greater than ourselves for help in solving our problems and achieving peace of mind. We are free to define that power in our own terms and in our own way.

Does Al-Anon have professional counselors or therapists?
Al-Anon offers a non-professional self-help program of recovery.

Can Al-Anon recommend treatment centers?
Because we are non-professional we do not recommend sources of outside help. Through sharing of our personal experiences, members gain insight into dealing with their own situations.

Who is responsible for the group?
We all are. We elect group officers to serve for short periods of time, perhaps three months to a year. In giving service to Al-Anon, as part of our recovery program, members volunteer to lead meetings, set up the room, display the literature and fill other group needs. At an Institutions and beginners group, experienced members lead the meeting.

Are there other groups like this?
Our group is one of many thousands of Al-Anon and Alateen groups in more than 100 countries around the world. We are tied together through a World Service Office (WSO) in New York City which acts as a clearinghouse for ideas and service. In the U.S. and Canada, each group belongs to a District and an Assembly Area. The Group

Representatives meet and elect Delegates to the annual World Service Conference (Refer to Al-Anon and Alateen Groups at Work P-24).

How much is this going to cost?
There are no dues or fees to join an Al-Anon or Alateen group. Most groups do pass a basket at meetings and we put in what we can afford to contribute on a voluntary basis. We use the money to pay the rent for a meeting place, to provide Al-Anon Conference-Approved Literature for the group, to buy refreshments, and to support our local and worldwide service centers.

Now what do I do?
We, Al-Anon and Alateen members found it helpful to:

• Obtain a meeting schedule.
• Go to meetings.
• Talk to each other before and after meetings.
• Exchange phone numbers.
• After awhile, you may wish to ask a longtime member to be your sponsor-a special friend, with whom you can continue sharing your personal feelings.
• Read Al-Anon and Alateen books, pamphlets, our magazine, The FORUM, and Al-Anon and Alateen newsletters.

If you still have questions, feel free to ask them. We offer you our friendship and our understanding. Please keep coming back.

The Serenity Prayer

Reflecting on each thought in the Serenity Prayer can help put situations into a clearer perspective.

Al-Anon Family Groups
The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength and hope in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery.

Al-Anon is not allied with any sect, denomination, political entity, organization or institution; does not engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any cause. There are no dues for membership. Al-Anon is self-supporting through its own voluntary contributions.

Al-Anon has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps, by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics, and by giving understanding and encouragement to the alcoholic.

For information and catalog of literature write:

AL-ANON INFORMATION SERVICE
POST BOX NO. 9046
PARK STREET
CALCUTTA - 700 016