Alcohol and Families: Alcohol Awareness Week, 13 - 19 Nov 2017
In 2015/16, 339,000 people were admitted to hospital for alcohol problems. This is 3% higher than 2014/15 and 22% higher than 2005/06 and represents 2.1% of all hospital admissions (NHS Statistics on Alcohol in England for 2017).
For everyone with a drink problem, at least five close family and friends live with uncertainty, deceit, financial insecurity and may even fear violence or emotional and physical abuse.
Those affected can include spouses, parents, children, friends and work colleagues.
One Al-Anon member typically never knew what to expect when his partner started drinking: “It was the unpredictability of the disease of alcoholism that I couldn’t live with” he said. “Having a relationship with an alcoholic is a struggle, but I put down the rope in the emotional tug of war and my life is better for it”.
Help and support is available: Al-Anon Family Groups and Alateen meetings provide a safe and confidential environment for anybody who is, or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking.
Al-Anon Family Groups offers a programme of recovery worldwide; there are over 780 support groups in the UK and Eire, 48 in Ireland North.
By attending Al-Anon Family Group meetings, individuals discover that they didn’t cause the problem, and cannot control or cure it. They also learn how best to cope with their situation by switching their focus from the alcoholic to themselves.
Alateen meetings are for 12-17 year olds. If there is no local Alateen meeting, young people are welcome to attend an Al-Anon Family Group meeting.
If you would like a copy of our latest publication ‘Families Surviving Alcoholism’ or for further information, please contact:
Colette Kelly, 02890682368, al-anon@btconnect.com
Al-Anon Information Office Ireland North
224 Lisburn Rd
Belfast
BT9 6GE