Al-Anon Groups help the friends and families anonymously – they work in the same way as Alcoholics Anonymous. They do not offer advice but do share strength hope and experience amongst their members.

Al-Anon Family Groups provide support to anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking. Al-Anon (the sister organisation of Alcoholics Anonymous) believe alcoholism affects the whole family, not just the drinker. They are an international organisation with over 800 support groups in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Al-Anon is a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience in order to solve their common problems.

Addictions UK suggests to family members and friends of alcoholics that they might well gain help and assistance from this organisation.  It is not for all – but many people find support and fellowship here.  There are meetings throughout England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland.

Al-Anon’s Confidential Helpline:
Tel: 020 7403 0888
Fax: 020 7378 9910
Al-Anon is available 10 am – 10 pm, 365 days a year

Al-Anon can also be contacted at: enquiries@al-anonuk.org.uk

For meetings in the United Kingdom or throughout the world Al-non have provided some excellent links on their website.
Click here for Al-Anon Family Groups Meetings in the UK

Al-Anon Family Groups hold regular meetings where members share their own experience of living with alcoholism. Al-Anon does not offer advice or counselling, but members give each other understanding, strength and hope.

For the Addictions UK 24/7 carers helpline:
Tel: 0845 4567 030.

“Adult Children of Alcoholics” – Real or Myth?
Dr. James West, a retired medical director of the Betty Ford Center writes about the concept of a syndrome specifically affecting the children of alcoholics. Although it is not yet widely accepted, “More and more data is accumulating… that such a cluster of symptoms does indeed exist as an identifiable entity.” Dr. West goes on to discuss the common symptoms in his article – (link below)

The family and friends of an alcoholic – or indeed any addict – can be greatly affected and this has given rise to such organisations as Al-Anon (www.al-anonuk.org.uk). Apologies for the shameless self-promotion, but it’s worth noting that Addictions UK, as part of their service, provide a help-line and counselling for the family members of their clients.

Dr West Article: Children of alcoholics may need treatment

Can Women Be Alcoholics?
Obviously the answer is yes, but sadly there is still a gender-bias in terms of the stigma attached to the illness. This is an added problem that female alcoholics have to contend with and is the subject of an interesting article by The Orchid Recovery Center.

Another interesting discussion of this topic can be found in the 1994 movie, When a Man Loves a Woman. Meg Ryan portrays the sad consequences of alcohol addiction and the film is also noteworthy for realistically portraying the challenges of recovery without resorting to cliché.

The Orchid Recovery Center Article: The Truth Behind Alcoholism and Women

Are You Addicted to Work?
A university in Spain claims to have proved the usefulness of the DUWAS (Dutch Work Addiction Scale) scale that is intended to measure addiction to work. Symptoms of work addiction are said to include “compulsion to work (inability to delegate)” and “disproportionate involvement with work (people relating their self esteem to their work)”

Work addiction may sound relatively harmless but, as with any addiction, this condition can place tremendous pressure on relationships and finances. An additional concern is the potential for work addicts to turn to illegal substances to overcome fatigue.

Science Centric Article: New scale for measuring addiction to work