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AUSTRA-LINKThe monthly journal of Al-Anon Family Groups in Australia

ISSN 0726-0726-4607 ISSN 2207-7642 (Online) Price $2.00

March 2020

RecoveryThrough The Steps

UnityThrough The Traditions

ServiceThrough The Concepts

The threefold guides of Al-Anon point the way to a normal, useful life for the individual.They are also a framework within which the groups can carry on their affairs in harmony.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSEThe purpose of Al-Anon is to help families and friends of alcoholics by offering hope and friendship, better understanding of the effects on themselves of someone else’s drinking, and an opportunity for spiritual awakening through the shared experience described in the Twelve Steps.

Austra-Link is the monthly publication of Australian Al-Anon Family Groups. In the pages of this magazine, Al-Anon and Alateen members share their experience, strength and hope as they do in their meetings. Through this “voice of the fellowship” individual members and Groups can be heard by many. Such sharing is vital in helping readers find growth and serenity through the Al-Anon program.

Al-Anon and Alateen members are invited to contribute articles, sharing their recovery. Articles present members’ personal views and experiences, and opinions expressed are not to be attributed to Al-Anon as a whole. Austra-Link does not print prayers or poetry. Full name and address (home or group) is required before any item can be accepted. Please indicate how you would like your article signed: first name only, first name and Area, initials only, or “Anon”.

Mail your article to Austra-Link Editor - Al-Anon Family Group, GPO Box 1002, Melbourne Vic. 3001 or email to [email protected] notices of forthcoming events must reach The Editor two months prior to publication.

God grant me the Serenityto accept the things I cannot change,Courage to change the things I can,and Wisdom to know the difference

March 2020 • Issue No. 467 AUSTRA-LINK 1

A fellow member recently shared on this at a meeting and the Serenity Prayer made new sense for me. So I took a small practical step, made a change to a financial arrangement to protect myself (in the face of certain disaster as I was interpreting everything). I still had my computer on my lap having just completed the task, and idly had a look at a popular social media site. I saw an item about someone afflicted by addiction arising from trauma. I’d seen it a few times and passed over it, but just for the heck of it I decided to read a bit of it.

I was reminded of the awful nature of alcoholism. The power of it and the fact that it’s no simple thing to live with as the alcoholic. It’s not just about the drink and it’s certainly a cruel and all consuming disease.

Suddenly my own judgy foul mood gave way to compassion and a return to my understanding that we struggle with a powerful and cunning disease that causes a lot of fall out, but is not a simple selfish lifestyle choice.

It felt odd to be freed by another’s sad story, but it also felt as if my Higher Power had gently led me back to a healthier, more loving perspective.

Thanks to my HP and Al-Anon!

Wendy E.

The National Journal of Al-Anon Family Groups Australia

Issue No. 467, March 2020

No one chooses to be sick. Just ask Alfred.

Thank goodness for my very clever Higher PowerSometimes, despite my best efforts to use my program, I succumb to bouts of self-defeating, depressing, stinking thinking.

I see my world through the bottom of my alcoholic family member’s bottle, and to me, for a while, everything is wrong and nothing is right. I read my readers—possibly cramming two or three days in at once because I’ve let go of my self-care routines. I pray to my Higher Power but in a desperate cloying way, not in a way that leaves any room for me to notice a response.

After a very busy period of work and travel, meeting some absolutely wonderful people, I had begun to feel very sorry for myself. Their lives were beautiful, fascinating or brave. Their relationships were healthy and loving with lots of sharing and companionship. I met a woman courageously dipping her toes back into life after losing her loving husband in a tragic accident. I spent time with a good-hearted person who has devoted years of hard work to a heartwarming charity and whose life is about to be cut short by a greedy and aggressive cancer.

In my relapse into my disease I took on all of these things as proof of the lack in my own life, and was seeing my loved one’s alcoholism as something ‘chosen’. I was toxic with judgement and contaminated with despair. I was trying to snap out of it, but was lost in blame and bile.

One thing I decided to do was to focus on changing the THINGS I can.

2 AUSTRA-LINK Issue No. 467 • March 2020

Excerpts from P-78 When I Got Busy, I Got Better

Learning to Take Risks, p. 17

When I was growing up, I often heard

my mom say yes when she meant no. I concluded that, in order to preserve a friendship, I needed to do whatever someone else wanted. Al-Anon has taught me to make choices, to set limits, and sometimes to say no.

When it comes to service, I also have choices. I recall that when I said no to reading a piece of literature at a meeting, the no was accepted with love, and my self-esteem grew. Then came an opportunity to serve on a committee I really got excited about: for an Al-Anon dance. In high school I had always wanted to be part of the group that decorated for dances. Now was my chance.

The committee members treated me with love and accep tance while teaching me to hang crepe paper and to make three dimensional designs. They reassured me I was doing well. My self-esteem blossomed and my self-confidence grew.

Today I still pick and choose when it comes to my Al-Anon participation. You won’t find me answering the telephone at the information service or being a Group Representative, though I admire those who can do that which has no appeal for me. We each have special talents and individual gifts.

Working on an Al-Anon fundraiser is one of the real joys in my life. Others patiently teach me new tasks. They love me when I make mistakes and even when I don’t! I don’t have to be perfect to satisfy

them. While learning to accept criticism offered with love, I’ve also learned to laugh at my mistakes and not take myself so seriously. All of these experi ences have helped my self-esteem grow. Encouraged by the love and acceptance of others in the program, I look forward to participating in even more activities.

Service helps me stretch my boundaries. Taking risks helps me grow, and Al-Anon is a safe place to do just that: take a risk and grow. Now I can take on new projects at work and expand my career. The rewards of service have been worth the risks. I ask myself: What are my special talents?

Survey SnippetsOver the next few issues we’ll publish some of the comments under the heading ‘Other’ from the Members’ Surveys My life has been transformed since

attending Al-Anon. No money could pay for what I have benefited. Even better than counseling.

s My life was affected by the family disease of alcoholism as a child and then by marriage and I did not get to Al-Anon until my 60s. It has changed and saved my life and I am extremely grateful for the program.

s I attended my first meeting last night. I’m not sure it was what I expected but I do feel much better this morning. The chance to share my issues with people whom I believe will understand and be non-judgemental was comforting. I’m at the beginning of my Al-Anon journey. I will now seek alternative ways to participate as well because I may not always be able to attend a group face-to-face meeting. I read some brochures last night and feel much stronger today, I feel I can start taking control back. Thank you.


Acceptance“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change”. I understand that part of the Serenity Prayer to mean serenity will come after acceptance.

If we accept what has happened to us through the ravages of alcohol—life can be turned around.

Acceptance takes time. We learn lessons along the way. Hopes are dashed, grief worked through, the 12 Steps of this potentially life-changing program gradually understood, learnt and acted upon.

After 43 years, my marriage was over. For most of those years I worked hard to keep the marriage together “to keep up appearances” as Hyacinth Bucket would say. My efforts proved fruitless when my husband said he was leaving one Sunday morning. The catalyst was his drinking the night before at our grandson’s birthday and me asking him once too often to please not drink so much.

My acceptance of his decision is a work in progress. He is a good man who gave me three wonderful children and eight amazing grandchildren, but he also gave me a lot of grief over the years. I think he might have gone years before had I not held on so tightly. My acceptance has shown me that we were two different people with differing values, wanting very different things out of this life.

He didn’t see the things I saw; the amazing sunset, petals of a rose opening to expose the colours hidden inside, the gift of friendship, the support and love of a Higher Power. My acceptance is now making me see that he had to be himself and I had to be me. I fully understand that now.

My absurd dependence on him was inherently wrong. I needed to love myself, not rely on someone else loving me to enable me to feel loved. A daughter of an alcoholic, I learned to believe I was unlovable.

Acceptance of situations, people or events gives us the power to think more clearly, to see where the other person may be coming from. We begin to see their pain and the effects it has on them, whether this pain be physical or mental, and to see our own pain and its origins. We begin to accept love from others, even if we don’t think we deserve such love at first. For me that is still difficult. I’m a work in progress.

It means putting my own needs and wants high on the list, being authentic and letting my guard down. There is so much growth in acceptance, so much serenity and freedom to let everyone be themselves and me just be me—‘warts and all’—a Monty Python diehard, chocolate-bullet-obsessive-eating, kind, caring and sensitive person.

I see my husband occasionally. Yesterday we went out with the family to a swanky restaurant. We had a wonderful time. My husband and I laughed and reminisced together and there was no tension. Acceptance gave me the ability to do that with no judgement, anxiety, or walking on egg shells, just appreciation and acceptance. What an example for those grandchildren and children. Without acceptance, the lunch would certainly have been very different. I am blessed beyond words.

Acceptance has allowed me to see more clearly. I can look at each day as the gift it is. Thank you Al-Anon

Gail W., Southern NSW Area


Reasoning things outOur suggested closing says: “Talk to each other, reason things out with someone else, but let there be no gossip or criticism of one another.” In this context, “talk to each other” means talking to another Al-Anon member, “reason things out” means looking for the reasons behind and around the problem, and finally “with someone else” encourages me not try to resolve my problems by myself.

Following this suggestion, I often find myself having a lengthy discussion with someone else about another person who is not present. It may even involve talking about a negative aspect of that person. How can I be sure that I am not gossiping or criticizing? I let it begin with me and ask myself these questions:s Is it any of my business? Does it

actually affect me or am I just annoyed or angry about something or someone not meeting my expectations?

s Who was I talking to? Was I talking to another Al-Anon member who may be able to share some experience, strength and hope to give me a new perspective?

s What was I talking about? Was I talking about the problem or just the person?

s Where was my focus? Was I looking for a solution or was I just venting my frustration?A confidential discussion of a

problem does not constitute gossip, it only becomes gossip when it is retold and discussed outside that confidential Al-Anon relationship. Likewise, looking at the positive and negative effects of someone else’s behaviour does not constitute criticism unless I am only looking at the negative and not looking for solutions.

Anon

Magic MomentWest Coast feeding many dolphins:

Tourist managers were picking out who could hold up the fish for them.

Two little boys—who seemed to have an alcoholic parent or two—were trying to grab the dolphins. Dolphins being very clever avoided them.

Little sister was crying and wanting to touch the dolphins.

My program with God in charge: I said to her “Come over here a bit and let’s think love and friendship and just drag our hands in the water.”

Within a few seconds a dolphin came along, smiled at us and rubbed his side along our hands. Boy! Electric energy came up our arms!

Thank you God for a happy little girl.He understood.

Thelma D., Northern NSW Area

Another form of detachmentThe day my alcoholic partner burst my balloon of smugness about my ability to conceal my feelings by telling me it was obvious when I was angry, I was forced to have a long, hard long look at myself. It seems I raised not the volume, but the pitch of my voice—a dead give-away of which I’d been unaware.My method of dealing with this was, and still is, to mentally step outside myself and view events as an outsider, seeing my behaviour as others do. This form of detachment has enabled me to speak courteously, if it’s necessary to speak at all, or to quickly move away while I ponder the slogans Easy Does it; Think, Think, Think; and How Important Is It? It works every time.

Doreen M., South Queensland AreaOctober 1994, Austra-Link, No 162


Keeping cool with my Al-Anon programThe long hot summer has passed and it’s been a pretty tough one for many. It’s still lovely to receive shares from members on the seasonal topic. A rash word or action on my part often follows on from a feeling of being befuddled and besieged and, over the years, I have found the Al-Anon adage “HALT” has helped me rein in and even prevent such behaviour.

When I catch such deterioration in my mood in summer, I ask myself not only “Am I hungry, angry, lonely, or tired?”, but “Am I hot?”

Steamy Brisbane summer creeps up on me and influences my thinking and judgements before I am aware of it. But if I can detect it early, I am encouraged to resist the old urge to “carry on carrying on”, using up every last drop of energy, forcing a solution or resolution. Instead I take a moment to reflect. If the answer is “too hot”, my First Aid may involve adding something like another

Al-Anon Contact: Jennifer, 0415 883 345

Good questionLong ago someone asked me, “What’s the worst thing that can happen to you?” My immediate answer then was “I could lose my house!” As I examined that thought, I realized that I was losing my sanity worrying about a house. After much thought, I came to see that nothing and no-one is worth my sanity. Thinking about what I believed to be the worst thing that could happen to me helped me to reorganize my sense of values and change my priorities.

B-9d, Forum Favourites/4, p. 79

fan, or drinking more water. It may entail removing something, for example intellectual pressure. Switching from writing or arguing to a manual activity such as sewing, or to a receptive one such as listening to music. In doing so, I am using my wisdom to restore my balance so as to bring my best self to the challenges and opportunities of today.

This is what I can change. Helen R., South Queensland Area


“When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help – let the hand of Al-Anon and Alateen always be there, and let it begin with me.”1 How many of us casually swanned into our first Al-Anon meeting, cool as cucumbers, joyful, bursting with confidence and optimism and excited to be entering a room full of strangers?

I wonder how many of us have never, ever tried to talk ourselves out of going to a meeting because it all felt a bit too hard, or we were intent on isolating ourselves, perhaps without realising.

Have any of us felt we couldn’t get to a meeting quickly enough because we really needed to be in a place we could find sanity and acceptance and were feeling overwhelmed by the effects of the family disease?

A member contacted the Australian General Service Office (AGSO) to let us know that they turned up to three meetings which were not open during early January. The member reported there was no information in their Area newsletter about two of those meetings and they were unattended on two occasions.

Also, disturbingly, two newcomers came along to find the rooms closed with no notice on the premises to warn there would be no Al-Anon meeting. 1. Al-Anon and Alateen Declaration

Why is it important to ensure that a meeting is open every week, particularly if the website and meetings list says it’s going to be?

Sometimes an Al-Anon meeting is the only respite from the madness of a troubled domestic situation—or our own tortured thinking. It’s affordable, safe and we can pretty much guarantee finding serenity at least during the meeting, which will hopefully sustain us till the next one.

In the case of a newcomer, actually making the move to come to a meeting is enormous. The decision is probably made at a very low, vulnerable point. Quite possibly a new member has tried so many other things and feels they have run out of options.

If it’s a small Al-Anon Family Group (AFG) and a number of members come down with the dreaded blue-spotted -curly-eyebrow-lurgy, the remaining members may imagine a meeting of an even smaller group would be pointless. Not so.

Any two or more relatives or friends of alcoholics who meet to solve their common problem of being affected by someone else’s drinking may call themselves an Al-Anon group provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation.2

If it’s the festive season and there’s just so much happening, particularly when the regular meeting falls on one of the main holidays, should members and newcomers expect to be able to find a meeting open?2. Al-Anon Guidelines - G-12, How To Start An Al-Anon Group In Australia

…Continued on page 8


NEWS and VIEWS from AGSOSpread the Word…March = Public Places*s Community Notice Boards in supermarkets cafés, bowling alleys

and recreation centress Council offices, community housess Tram, train and bus shelters*with permission of the owners/managers of the premises

M-76 Bookmark, M-34 Poster, M-36 Poster, MX-1 Poster, X-11 Alateen P.I. Wallet Card, Group/Area Tear-off Meeting Details.

Plea to members with experience, strength and hope to share…I am so grateful to all the members who send in articles for inclusion in our Austra-Link.

Sadly, there are some really terrific stories received here at the Austra-Link desk, which I would love to include, but can’t because they arrive totally anonymously.

To be able to publish the stories, we are legally obliged to know the source of the story. We don’t divulge any of this information, and nothing is included in each issue that may identify the writer, but we genuinely cannot proceed with including the item without being given the name and address of the writer.

Contributors are asked how they wish the byline of their piece to appear with the choice of first name, initial and area or Anonymous.

The monthly journal is for all of us—another source of inspiration and succour for those times between meetings when a top up of Al-Anon wisdom can give us a boost if the going is a bit tough, or just enhance the good place we may currently be in—one share at a time, one page at a time, one day at a time.

So pleeeeeez, pleeeeeez, puleeeeeeez when you do post or email us a story, remember to include your name, address, home group and your preferred way of being listed in your byline.

…and keep those shares coming!Ed.


…Continued from page 6

Today’s reminderJust for today I will look for ways to enjoy life—stop by a garden, try a new hobby, or call a good friend. I can look for humor. I can savor love. I can explore something new. Maybe just for today, I’ll try standing on my head to see if I like the view.“Just for today I will find a little time to relax and to realise what life is and can be; time to think about God and get a better perspective on myself.”

Alcoholism, the Family DiseaseCourage to Change, B-16, p. 274

A terrific New Year ideaAt the beginning of this year, I made a conscious decision to put Al-Anon first in my life. This included ringing a different member every day.

The results of this decision continue to amaze me and, if I can keep it up, I have little doubt that my Higher Power will continue to help out at this end!

Helen R., North QLD AreaPS: I love our current Austra-Link cover and wonder why we need to change it! Point well made Helen. The existing cover certainly conveys what Austra-Link is all about really well and is visually striking. It will be exciting seeing what evolves.

Ed.

Yes—unless prior notice is given that a meeting won’t be available.

The Australian General Service Office maintains Group data, using this to publish up-to-date meeting lists on the website and to produce Contacting Al-Anon in Australia.3

This is only possible with the cooperation of all Al-Anon Family Groups who are charged with the responsibility of informing their Area offices and the AGSO of any changes and additions to meeting times, venue or frequency. Areas also maintain their own newsletters and webpages with up-to-date meeting lists.

Some of us may forget that to pass on the priceless gift of serenity by participating in meetings and making sure there is somewhere for newcomers and everyone in our Al-Anon family to go is an important part of our recovery.

Do those of us who have had the benefit of years in the program forget the depth of our despair, the confusion and the urgency we felt when we first came to the rooms? Do we become complacent with our well-honed tools at the ready and underestimate just how crazy things can get for some when they are in the presence of active alcoholism at fraught times of year?

If a meeting can’t go ahead, or if our Group has nominated to close for a holiday, it is vital we inform our Areas and the AGSO so lists are up-to-date. If the cancelation is unexpected, we must do all we can to pass on that information. A note stuck to the door is better than finding a deserted venue or having to approach a stranger for directions only to find there is no meeting. 3. X-1, Australian Service Handbook For Al-Anon and Alateen Groups, 2017, P. 8


Symbol of beauty and transformationEach time you see a fuzzy, little caterpillar, try to remember…it will one day be transformed into a beautiful butterfly. It’s difficult to imagine…an ugly, crawling, perhaps even repulsive creature will one day become a bright, beautiful winged butterfly!

Before this miraculous transformation takes place, the little caterpillar withdraws into its own world. It finds a place it can be done. Then it painfully struggles to make a cocoon, which it wraps tightly around itself. During this cocoon stage, it is sealed off from the rest of the world. It remains in this dark place for days. Gradually, a tiny crack appears in the covering and as the crack widens, a new creature emerges.

This new creature is very different from its former self. It is a beautiful sight indeed! … When most of us come to Al-Anon we are similar to the butterfly.

As the disease of alcoholism progressed, our ability to cope with

anything grew weaker and weaker. We, too, built a cocoon around ourselves. We withdrew from the world and hid. Time passed. Then we heard about Al-Anon and hope caused a tiny crack to being in our outer shell. After several meetings, the cracked opened and we emerged. We sat in the light and

absorbed the warmth, friendship, and understanding of the

group—just as the butterfly absorbed the

sunshine. In time, we begin to carry to others the gifts we’d received. Each time we help others, we strengthen ourselves.

This is why you often see Al-Anon members wearing a butterfly pin.

Not only is it a spiritual symbol, but it is a symbol

of beauty and transformation. We can look at a butterfly and see God.

The butterfly is sometimes described as the “kiss of God”.

LinFrom magazine produced by South

Queensland Area for the 2012 Australian Service Seminar

There are even some beautiful trinkets found here and there with the butterfly and our

Al-Anon symbol combined

The times they are a-changin’Changes in the printing industry mean that we are no longer able to obtain the durable large cotton 12 Steps and 12 Traditions banners.Producing them on poly-cotton is possible but much more expensive. AGSO would like to know members’ opinions on whether these large banners should remain available for newly formed groups to purchase. A sample of members’ opinions will be sought through a mini-survey. Stay tuned...

Claire J., Literature Officer


A special word to anyone confronted with violenceAl-Anon’s gentle process unfolds gradually, over time. But those of us facing violent, potentially life-threatening situations may have to make immediate choices to ensure safety for ourselves and our children. This may mean arranging for a safe house with a neighbour or friend, calling for police protection, or leaving money and an extra set of car keys where they can be

No longer blaming myselfWhen violence first occurred in my marriage, I truly thought it was my fault and that I should never say or do anything to anger my alcoholic husband. If I did, I thought he was justified, because in my mind he was always right; therefore I must be wrong. Because I didn’t want to think badly of him, I just denied that any violence occurred. However, it was his violence that brought me to Al-Anon, where I learned I was dealing with a very sick person, and that I too was ill. I often needed to be reminded that I didn’t cause the disease of alcoholism, I can’t control it, and I can’t cure it. I no longer have to blame myself for another’s actions. By focusing on myself and working my program without all that blame, I can recover from the effects of this disease Al-Anon has literally saved my life.

We are very fortunate to receive Al-Anon publications from a number of countries. Here is a share from Portugal’s January to June 2019 issue of Só por Hoje (Hope for Today).

LAC1 Tribute: “When I Serve, I Feel Better”By giving my hand to others who, like me, were suffering and hopeless, I break the circle of denial and insanity in which I find myself. I become available to embrace a new circle of love which is continually renewed. I believe that, by example, many will want to join the circle, thus maintaining the vitality of a serenity-seeking community one day at a time on this wonderful spiritual journey that is life.

Mario (Life and Hope Group) 1. LAC is the Portugese acronym for Conference Approved Literature - ‘literatura aprovada pela conferência’

collected at any time of emergency. It is not necessary to decide how to resolve the situation once and for all—only how to get out of harm’s way until this process of awareness, acceptance, and action can free us to make choices for ourselves that we can live with.

Anyone who has been physically or sexually abused or even threatened may be terrified of taking any action at all. It can require every ounce of courage and faith to act decisively. But no one has to accept violence. No matter what seems to trigger the attack, we all deserve to be safe.

Excerpts taken from B-15, In All Our Affairs: Making Crises Work for You, Published by Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.

“…no one has to accept violence. No matter what seems

to trigger the attack, we all deserve to be safe.”


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Cheques payable to: Al-Anon Family Groups Australia. Address: GPO Box 1002, Melbourne Vic. 3001EFT Payments: Account Name: Al-Anon Family Groups Australia Pty. Ltd. BSB: 063-158 Account #: 10035455Reference: Groups name; Individual name; Email: [email protected] when you have made an EFT payment

Living Today in AlateenThings to Think AboutWe can rest assured that the answers, choices, actions, and thoughts we need will come to us when the time is right because we have placed them in the hands of our Higher Power.

B-22, How Al-Anon Works, p. 76


Next Issue: April, 2020CAL: When I Got Busy, I Got Better (P-78)Articles and Member sharings from around AustraliaAutumn Sharing Topic - I may slip, but my program helps me not to fall More Survey SnippetsThe National Phone Number for Al-Anon information is:1300 Al-Anon (1300 252 666)www.al-anon.org.auTo access Members’ page:your username is: memberyour password is: afg

Have you renewed your subscription to Austra-Link?See the subscription form on page 11 in this, and every copy of Austra-link.Remember, a gift subscription to someone you sponsor or to a new member in your group, is a loving way to say, We care about you, please keep coming back”.

Forthcoming EventsAA TAsmAniA EAsT CoAsT RAlly wiTh Al-Anon PARTiCiPATion

Date: Friday, 20th March to Sunday, 22nd March, 2020Venue: Registration at Anglican Church Hall 58 Cecelia Street, St Helens

Cost: $20 (includes BBQ dinner Saturday night)Al-Anon contact: Gillian, 0414694922

Theme: A New Beginning

12Th inTERnATionAl Al-Anon Round-uP in GERmAny wiTh AA PARTiCiPATion Date: Friday, 14th August 2020 to Sunday, 16th August 2020

Venue: Tagungsstätte Schloss Schwanberg Schwanberg 3 97348 Rödelsee Meetings in German and English

Contact: Monique, [email protected]: Expect Miracles

2020 AA ConvEnTion in ToowoombA - wiTh Al-Anon And AlATEEn PARTiCiPATionDate: Friday, 2nd October 2020 to Monday, 5th October 2020

Venue: Downlands College, 72 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba CityWebsite: aanatcon2020.com.au

Theme: A Vision for You

19Th EuRoPEAn Al-Anon/AlATEEn ConvEnTion wiTh AA PARTiCiPATionFriday, 30th October 2020 to Sunday, 1st November 2020

Venue: Hotel: CABINN Scandinavia Vodroffsvej 55 1900 Frederiksberg CContact: [email protected]

Theme: Willingness

THE TWELVE STEPS1. We admitted we were powerless over

alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.

2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it

11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

THE TWELVE TRADITIONS1. Our common welfare should come first;

personal progress for the greatest number depends upon unity.

2. For our group purpose there is but one authority—a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants—they do not govern.

3. The relatives of alcoholics, when gathered together for mutual aid, may call themselves an Al-Anon Family Group, provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation. The only requirement for membership is that there be a problem of alcoholism in a relative or friend.

4. Each group should be autonomous, except in matters affecting another group or Al-Anon or AA as a whole.

5. Each Al-Anon Family Group has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps of A.A. ourselves, by encouraging and understanding our alcoholic relatives, and by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics.

6. Our Family Groups ought never endorse, finance or lend our name to any outside enterprise, lest problems of money property and prestige divert us from our primary spiritual aim. Although a separate entity, we should always co-operate with Alcoholics Anonymous.

7. Every group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.

8. Al-Anon Twelfth Step work should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centres may employ special workers.

9. Our groups, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.

10. The Al-Anon Family Groups have no opinion on outside issues; hence our name ought never be drawn into public controversy.

11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, films, and TV. We need guard with special care the anonymity of all AA members.

12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles above personalities.

Remember the 1300 252 666 number is a national number which connects you to the nearest Area Office. For example, if you are in South Australia and call the number, Adelaide members will respond to you.

Area Offices in AustraliaNORTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES: Al-Anon Family Groups Northern NSW Area Room 9, 49 Annie St Wickham St., WICKHAM NSW 2293 PO Box 217, HAMILTON NSW 2303 Phone: (02) 4961 6662 Helpline: 1300 252 666 Email: [email protected]

SOUTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES: (includes Australian Capital Territory) Al-Anon Family Groups Southern NSW Area Suite 4, 2 Ormonde Parade HURSTVILLE NSW 2220 Phone: (02) 9570 3400 Email: [email protected]

WESTERN NEW SOUTH WALES Al-Anon Family Groups Western NSW Area Suite 108, First Floor 114-116 Henry Street, PENRITH NSW 2750 Phone: (02) 4731 1442 E-mail: Al-Anon [email protected]

NORTH QUEENSLAND: Al-Anon Family Groups North Queensland Area P.O. Box 827, AITKENVALE QLD 4814 Phone: 1300 252 666 Email: Al-Anon [email protected]

SOUTH QUEENSLAND: Al-Anon Family Groups South Queensland Area Unit 3, 1050 Manly Road. TINGALPA PO Box 2169, TINGALPA QLD 4173 10:00am – 2:00pm, Monday to Friday Phone: (07) 3890 1244 Helpline: 1300 252 666 Email: [email protected]

NORTHERN VICTORIA: Al-Anon Family Groups Northern Victoria Area O’Brien Hall, McLennan Street, MOOROOPNA P.O. Box 81, MOOROOPNA VIC 3629 Phone: (03) 5825 1160 Email: Al-Anon [email protected]

SOUTHERN VICTORIA: (includes Tasmania) Al-Anon Family Groups Victorian Southern Area Level 7, 51 Queen St., MELBOURNE. GPO Box 5458, MELBOURNE VIC 3001 10:30am – 2:30pm, Monday to Thursday Phone: (03) 9629 8900 Helpline: 1300 252 666 Email: Al-Anon [email protected]

SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Al-Anon Family Groups South Aust. Area 1st Floor, Harmer House 5 Leigh Street, ADELAIDE Mailing address: 1st Floor, 5 Leigh Street ADELAIDE SA 5000 10:00am – 2:30pm, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Phone: (08) 8231 2959 Email: office@saAl-Anon .org

WESTERN AUSTRALIA: (includes Northern Territory) Al-Anon Family Groups Western Aust. Area Room 9, Claisebrook Lotteries House 33 Moore Street, EAST PERTH WA 6004 10:30am – 2:30pm, Monday to Friday Phone (08) 9325 7528 E-mail: office.admin@Al-Anon wa.org

Al-Anon Family Groups (Australia) Pty. Ltd. 7th Floor, 51 Queen Street, MELBOURNE GPO Box 1002, MELBOURNE, Vic., 3001 Phone (03) 9620 2166 Fax (03) 9620 2199 10:00am – 5:00pm, Monday to Thursday E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.al-anon.org.au

To contact Al-Anon anywhere in Australia for the cost of a local call:

1300 Al-Anon (1300 252 666)

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