There’s Still Help

By Louise Dustrude –

These are challenging times for everyone, and for some individuals and families the challenges are made worse by alcohol or other drugs.

Alcoholics Anonymous has long been a resource for those who acknowledge that they are “powerless over alcohol”; Al-Anon is a well-established resource for those impacted by another person’s drinking; and Alateen is available to young people affected by someone else’s drinking. Narcotics Anonymous is a group that helps those impacted by their own or another’s drug use.

All four organizations rely on the support of others in the same boat, and all four are now figuring out how to “meet” in these days of social distancing. Meetings have traditionally been held in local churches, which are currently closed. So arrangements have been made and are still being coordinated to meet “virtually.”

Members of all four groups guard the anonymity of everyone else in their fellowship.

If you need or want some support from one of these groups, here’s information:

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) offers daily on-line meetings on a schedule available on their web page, www.sjiaa.net , and a local helpline at 360-317-3832.

Its web page states in part: “Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.”

The local Al-Anon group offers this information:

Has your life been affected by someone else’s drinking?

Al‑Anon is a mutual support program for people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. By sharing common experiences and applying the Al-Anon principles, families and friends of alcoholics can bring positive changes to their individual situations, whether or not the alcoholic admits the existence of a drinking problem or seeks help.

As the challenges created by the Coronavirus (COVID‑19) continue to evolve, Al‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. continues to address the challenges created as a result of this pandemic. Interim measures to support referrals to our program include:

• Technology enhances our ability to be available as a resource during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Our website, al‑anon.org, has general information for those who are unfamiliar with our program and resources for professionals.
• Al‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.’s toll‑free meeting information number,  1-888-425-2666(1‑888‑AL‑ANON), Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm ET. A local member’s contact information is available for many Al‑Anon and Alateen groups. Those inquiring can call the Group Contact for the status of the group’s meetings.
• Information for those who have never attended Al-Anon Meetings can be found online at https://al-anon.org/newcomers/

Currently Al-Anon meetings in San Juan County are being held electronically at different times of the day Monday through Saturday. Electronic meetings are closed meetings for all Al-Anon members and potential members; anyone whose personal life is or has been deeply affected by close contact with a problem drinker. For information contact [email protected]

And for those whose problem is not alcohol but other drugs, Narcotics Anonymous has a 24-hour helpline at 1-360-647-3234.

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