Indiana District 4 Al-Anon

03/21/2026

Find out how Al-Anon has helped many parents cope with a child’s drinking at goo.gl/sBGUpw.

03/01/2026

“I believe attending Al-Anon and Alateen meetings over the past several years has opened my mind and heart. As I listened to others share their experiences and eventually began sharing my own, I developed a deeper sense of compassion for both the alcoholic in my life and myself. This newfound caring came from understanding how alcoholism has affected me and my family. I’ve become more aware of things like the sound of a beverage can popping open, the arguments that often arise when someone is under the influence of alcohol and cannot maintain a civil conversation, and the hurt feelings that result.

“Listening to others share their experience led to more understanding of alcoholics as well as their family members. After hearing other alcoholics tell their stories, I realized that the alcoholic in my life was doing what other alcoholics do, and the family members reacted just like I did to the alcoholic’s behavior. There was a name for this disease—alcoholism.

“After understanding more about the disease, I learned there were things I could do to take care of myself while learning to have compassion for the alcoholic, at least some of the time. I had to learn to say no and set some boundaries so that I could start to feel better. This helped me feel less controlled by someone or something outside of myself.”

“A Name for this Disease,” “The Forum,” February 2026

One thing that teens soon find after coming to Alateen is that they are not the only ones dealing with an alcoholic loved one. They realize they are not alone after all. In Alateen, they can meet with other kids their age and learn healthy ways to deal with their family problems.

To find out more about how teens are affected by alcoholism and how Alateen helps them, read other Alateen members’ stories at:

🔺 https://al-anon.org/newcomers/teen-corner-alateen

01/28/2026

“Giving service has been a growth opportunity for me. Sometimes, it can be easier for me to take on authority than to be of service. I find focusing on give and take helps me see the difference. At home, in my group or Area, I can stand or volunteer for a service position. We use the term ‘trusted servants’ because we serve others and, in the process, others come to trust us. Conversely, I can also ‘take authority’ and try to be the boss. I’ve tried to do plenty of that in my relationship with the alcoholic—to take over, to manipulate, or outright demand that my way was the right way. It didn’t work, and it doesn’t work in Al-Anon either. Even when a service position’s duty is defined, I think it’s usually intended to detail a responsibility, not to enforce authority.
For me, Al-Anon is a loving place to practice giving service, rather than taking authority.”

“Responsibility and Authority,” “The Forum,” January 2026

You can share your thoughts on this topic on the Concept One blog at:

🔹 https://al-anon.org/blog/concept-one/

01/23/2026

“What does ‘take what you like and leave the rest’ mean to me? When I first came to [Alateen] meetings, I was under the impression that it meant I should take only what could be applied to my situation. I am an Alateen, but my first meetings were Al-Anon meetings. This means that my first meetings were with adults whose circumstances were very different from mine. There was no way I could apply their experience to my situation; it’s incomparable!

“Oh, how mistaken I was. I now understand ‘take what you like and leave the rest’ to mean I should take what I need. I try to understand people’s different situations and listen to what my Higher Power is trying to teach me through the gift of their voices.

“For example, I could listen to an adult speak about his or her child’s drinking. As a kid, I may not relate. I'm not a parent! However, if I stop listening, I won’t see the point. I'm listening to another family member of an alcoholic share their experience, strength, and hope in the program. It’s one of the most beautiful things in the world. How could I not try my best to learn from this gift?

“In every meeting, I remind myself to do my best to learn from someone's share. Whether they're a newcomer, a longtime member, an Alateen, an Al-Anon, or even a member of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) sharing in an open meeting, I believe my Higher Power brings me to that meeting room and provides me with the ability to hear that person’s hope, so that I can learn and grow.”

“Learning Through the Voices of Others,” “The Forum,” January 2026

Alateen is a twelve-step program for teenagers affected by the family disease of alcoholism. Find out more about the program:

🔺 https://al-anon.org/newcomers/teen-corner-alateen

01/17/2026

As we begin a new year, it's a good time to pause and reset. Setting a recovery goal allows us to focus on healing, emotionally, physically, and spiritually; to find balance; and to move forward with purpose.

January’s blog topic is, “What is your recovery resolution for 2026?”

You can share your plan on our blog at:

🔹 https://al-anon.org/blog/what-is-your-recovery-resolution-for-2026/

Sharings on the Member Blog may be used in future Al-Anon publications.

01/04/2026

Al-Anon Family Groups is a Twelve Step program for families and friends of alcoholics. If your life has been affected by someone else’s drinking, consider visiting a few meetings to see if they could be helpful to you.

🔹 https://al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/

12/30/2025