To the Al Anon Meeting

I should perhaps tell you first that we (my husband and I) have already lost a daughter to addiction. She was 45 years old, but we had suffered with her for at least 30 years. If she wasn't having a panic attack, she was having a bi polar response. Her attempt to self medicate led to so many problems. And finally, she passed away.

            We were totally, totally, totally out to lunch. (For those of you in Russia reading this, the term "out to lunch" means "ignorant of what was happening")  We were unaware of the real problem. We knew nothing about the help that could be available.. We did not know much.

            And no one bothered to give us any information. Not one.

            We were naïve and unsure.

            If we had known more, I do believe we could have helped her properly. Instead we exhausted ourselves going to doctors, to the jail, to the law, running to emergency rooms, and so on.

            This time, with this son, we got educated fast.

            This blog is for that purpose. It is a blog to inform you.

            Do not ever give up. Do not stop seeking help.

           

            Our son had a relapse and I was a mess.

            He told me/us to attend an Al Anon meeting. I looked up Al Anon meetings in Kansas, and I found the time and place. I purposed to go. I had to do something to help me cope.

            Husband didn't go with me this time, but I went anyway.

            It was one of the longest drives in my life. I had to drive a mile and a half to the meeting room. Then I parked the car. Then I got out, opened the door to the building, climbed the stairs and walked into the meeting room.

            That was the HARD part.

            From the time I walked in, to the time I sat down, I felt totally comfortable and non threatened. I was still an emotional mess, though , but soon learned that this was ok. Everyone there had experienced tears at the meetings.

            I was greeted warmly. The chairman of this meeting introduced me, gave me a packet of information, and phone numbers and contacts if I needed someone to talk to during the week.

            Then the meeting began.

            She told us that there was no "formula" or "quick answer" but that the contributions of the members were varied. Whatever fit my situation or spoke to me; whatever piece of advice or experience shared; if any of it helped then that was what I could take away from the meeting. There were prayers and advice, and oh so many more things to tell you.

            I am going to write about Al Anon next. But for now, I want to encourage you to go to the local meeting if there is a place that meets in your area.

            Please do that. The meetings are open to you. The anonymity of the attendees is essential because of the trust and confidence that each member must have in order to speak freely. And there is no need to feel embarrassed or ashamed.

           This addiction problem in our world is everywhere.

           Don't do what we did the first time around Be aware and get help.