How I did it: My stepfather in law was only the most recent person to recommend Al Anon to me.  I found ACoA too, and was lucky to be moving near one of the only meetings in my state.  ACoA has been the most supportive, courageous, and honest things I've done in long time.  I looked the meeting up online [Google ACOA] and just started going.  I make myself share at most meetings, partly to make myself do something I'm afraid of and partly because I identify so much with what others share.  I have only been doing this for about 6 months, haven't worked steps or found a sponsor yet, but I am working up to it.  This is something I do to care for myself, a reason I can feel good about myself, even when other parts of me/my life seem nutty.

Lessons & tips: feel the fear and do it anyway!  try to contribute something if you feel moved to because just as you identify with others, what you have to say will hit home with someone else and help them out.  and i always feel good about myself for conquering that fear of speaking and impulse to hold myself back and isolate.

Resources: courage!  i just bought the ACoA Big Red Book.  after having been in group for half a year, i knew the book would be worth it, no matter how intense it is [which is something i really value about the process].

Jan 05, 2009, 02:48PM PST | 2 comments