When a family member or friend is sick, struggling financially, facing career difficulties, or facing other modern-day challenges, we all hope to be there to help. When the struggle becomes more overwhelming, meal trains, visit schedules, or a donation fund can help. “Many hands make light work,” or so the saying goes. But what happens when the struggle is more personal, socially uncomfortable, and the support group is smaller? Who supports the supporters by sharing their own experiences or just listening?
Al-Anon is just such an organization for those family and friends who are supporting someone struggling with addiction. As their ministry page on the St. Francis website says, “Al-Anon is a support program for family members and friends of individuals struggling with alcoholism. It provides a safe and confidential space to share experiences, find strength, and learn coping strategies. Through meetings and resources, Al-Anon helps individuals navigate the challenges of loving someone with alcohol addiction while focusing on their own well-being and recovery. “
The group’s focus is on its members and not directly on the addicted persons in their lives, who must focus on their addictions. As part of that, Scott Kingsley, the Al-Anon Ministry at St. Francis contact person, says, “We follow Al-Anon rules strictly, as described by Al-Anon’s authorized leadership. There is no limit to the faiths any of us practice, don’t practice, or may be familiar with. We do not focus at all on anything that is specifically Catholic.” The focus is on supporting those helping an addicted friend or family member, and that goes beyond any specific religion.
The SFA group is unusual in that it is a ‘meditation’ group that always dedicates 15 minutes at the start of the meeting to silent reflection, contemplating the messages each individual may receive from a higher power to gain insight into what they wish to contribute to that meeting. Members say they find going to a meeting without meditation disappointing; it doesn’t feel complete. The format we use is a powerful gift that makes this meeting a favorite for so many.
Al-Anon is a national organization that provides resources and information through local groups, allowing family and friends to learn from the experiences of others who have faced similar problems. Do you know someone you are supporting who struggles with addiction? Do you feel overwhelmed at times and wish there was a resource for support, or just someone who understood the struggle? Consider the Al-Anon ministry at St. Francis.
The group meets every Sunday evening in Clare Hall Room 405, and feel free to contact Scott for more information at scottkingsley66@hotmail.com or (240) 252-0074. “We are a great, convivial group of people,” says Scott, “who have grown to become very good friends. Newcomers are always welcome, and most come back. We consider that a good sign of the ‘health’ of our group and the level of support we provide.”