Athens Area Al-Anon

Introducing Al-Anon

Al-Anon is an anonymous fellowship that welcomes anyone who has a family member or friend that suffers from alcoholism or any other chemical dependency. We hope that you will find the help and friendship that we have been privileged to enjoy.

Al-Anon provides several paths into recovery:

• Attending Al-Anon meetings. At these meetings you will have a chance to share experience, strength, and hope with other Al-Anon members. We ask that you introduce yourself by first name only, and welcome those who participate actively as well as those who start by simply observing. If it is "your turn" to speak, you are free to say simply, "Pass."

• Reading Al-Anon literature. The World Service Office publishes a number of leaflets and books, including the two daily readers: "One Day at a Time in Al-Anon" and "Courage to Change," as well as our "big book," "How Al-Anon Works." Copies of several leaflets are included in the free beginners packets that the local groups distribute to newcomers, and copies of the three books are available at cost, through the local groups.

• Each of our local groups also maintains a phone list that it provides to newcomers. The people on the list have volunteered to take calls when they can, and have promised to tell the caller right away if it is not a good time, so that the next person on the list may be tried.

• Many Al-Anon members find a "sponsor" within the group, who provides an on-going relationship focussed on recovery.

Local Meetings

There are three established Al-Anon Family Groups in the immediate vicinity of Athens, OH:

• Monday Noon: Noon - 1:00 PM in the basement Library of the Presbyterian Church, on the corner of Court and Washington Streets. Entry is through the second set of doors as you walk away from Court Street. Then go to the right, down the stairs into the basement, and turn left down the central hallway.

• Tuesday Evening: 7:30 - 8:30 PM in the Hobson Lounge at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, on University Terrace, next door to the Oasis. Entry is through the door on the upper level between the offices and the nave. The lounge is straight ahead.

• Thursday Evening: 7:30 - 8:30 PM in the Undercroft of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, on University Terrace, next door to the Oasis. Entry is through the kitchen door in the back.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Our chemically dependent family members and friends may find help through Alcoholics Anonymous.

National Al-Anon

The national home page for Al-Anon provides access to many resources.

Links to Interesting Resources

"Addicted in Academe" is an article from The Chronicle of Higher Education, by a faculty member of AA.

Dick revised this page (http://www.seorf.ohiou.edu/alanon/) on November 23, 2002.