Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:29:16 — 48.8MB)

Subscribe for free: More Options

Are you new to Al-Anon? Do you wonder what to expect? What you should do immediately? What are the challenges we face early on? Does Al-Anon have its own “culture”? Then you’ve come to the right place, because today, we’re going to talk about getting started in Al-Anon.

Spencer and guest host Wendy talk about our early experiences in Al-Anon, reflecting on what you might expect as you come to your first few meetings. We used this outline to guide our discussion.

• What should I expect when I come to my first meeting?
  • Greeting?
  • Literature?
  • Meeting format?
• What should I do “immediately”?
  • Go to meetings!
  • Buy and read literature!
  • Talk in the meeting?
  • Get a phone list?
  • Get a sponsor?
  • Start working the steps?
• What are some early challenges?
  • The jargon?
  • Talking?
  • Listening?
  • Feeling safe?
  • Crying?
  • “God” talk?
• Is there an Al-Anon culture? What is it?
  • Language/jargon?
  • Slogans?
  • How we interact with each other?

Our topic for next week is Step 11, “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood God, praying only for knowledge of God's will for us and the power to carry that out”. Please call us at 734-707-8795 or email feedback@therecoveryshow.com with your questions or experience, strength and hope. Or just leave a comment right here.

Music from the show

Arcade Fire – Ready to Start

SMASH cast – Stand

Emerson, Lake and Palmer – From the Beginning

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBvGZP4srZA
 

The music at the beginning of this episode is Begin the Beguine played by Artie Shaw and his Orchestra.

Other Stuff

Books we mentioned that you can order from Al-Anon:

How Al-Anon Works for Families & Friends of Alcoholics

The paperback edition of Al-Anon's basic book

Opening our Hearts, Transforming our Losses

Recovery from grief and loss