7/16/2014 FOR EDUCATORS. We re members of the Al Anon Family Groups (AFG) of Wisconsin and Upper Peninsula of Michigan

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1 All About Al-Anon FOR EDUCATORS Who we are We re members of the Al Anon Family Groups (AFG) of Wisconsin and Upper Peninsula of Michigan July Why we re here To inform you, as Educators, about what Al Anon/Alateen is, and how it can help YOU help the students and families you serve July

2 What we ll share 1. How Al Anon is a RESOURCE for you 2. What Al Anon IS and what it IS NOT 3. The role Al Anon plays in recovery from the FAMILY DISEASE of alcoholism 4. How you can MAKE REFERRALS to Al Anon July a word about Anonymity July Prevalence of Binge Drinking Among Adults in the U.S. July

3 Wisconsin has the highest PREVALENCE OF BINGE DRINKING among all 50 states: 10.9% (Utah) to 25.6% (Wisconsin) Wisconsin has the highest INTENSITY OF BINGE DRINKING among all 50 states: 6.0 drinks on occasion (DC) to 9.0 drinks on occasion (Wisconsin) July In the U.S. there are more than 18 million people with a drinking problem, and only 10% of them will ever get help July Every individual with a drinking problem disrupts the lives of at least 4 other people: THE CHILD WHO LOSES A PARENT TO A DRUNKEN DRIVING ACCIDENT CAREERS THAT ARE RUINED MARRIAGES AND FAMILIES THAT ARE DESTROYED BY PROBLEM DRINKING July

4 Of the estimated 72 million Americans affected by someone else s drinking, most will not get help for themselves Many will never realize they could have benefited from insight into problems caused by another person s drinking July SOURCE: 2009 MEMBER SURVEY, AL ANON FAMILY GROUPS WORLD SERVICE HEADQUARTERS July What effect can someone s excessive drinking have on others? July

5 What WAS LIFE LIKE BEFORE ATTENDING AL ANON? July Where EDUCATORS WILL FIND STUDENTS AFFECTED BY SOMEONE ELSE S DRINKING July Where will you find students affected by someone else s drinking? July

6 Where will you find students affected by someone else s drinking? July Where will you find students affected by someone else s drinking? July Where will you find students affected by someone else s drinking? July

7 SOURCE: 2009 MEMBER SURVEY, AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS WORLD SERVICE HEADQUARTERS July Where will you find students affected by someone else s drinking? July Where will you find students affected by someone else s drinking? July

8 Where will you find students affected by someone else s drinking? July Where else EDUCATORS WILL FIND STUDENTS AFFECTED BY SOMEONE ELSE S DRINKING Classroom Nurse s office Principal s office Absent students And other community settings July July

9 SOURCE: 2009 MEMBER SURVEY, AL ANON FAMILY GROUPS WORLD SERVICE HEADQUARTERS July SINGLE PURPOSE: To help families and friends of problem drinkers, whether the problem drinker is still drinking or not. July WORLDWIDE FELLOWSHIP NETWORK of people who believe their lives have been affected by someone else s drinking... NOT group therapy and NOT led by a counselor or therapist. MUTUAL SUPPORT recovery program where members share their experience, strength and hope to solve common problems BASED ON THE TWELVE STEPS of Alcoholics Anonymous but NOT affiliated with AA SPIRITUAL PROGRAM that is compatible with all religious beliefs or none at all independent and NOT allied with any sect, denomination, political entity, organization or institution July

10 Weekly and online meetings Anonymous No dues or fees Compatible with professional treatment Free of charge Worldwide Spiritual Fellowship of peers Independent No professional referral required Not a treatment center, counseling agency or teaching program July How CAN AL ANON FAMILY GROUPS HELP? July But does Al-Anon really work? July

11 SOURCE: 2009 MEMBER SURVEY, AL ANON FAMILY GROUPS WORLD SERVICE HEADQUARTERS July SOURCE: 2009 MEMBER SURVEY, AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS WORLD SERVICE HEADQUARTERS July SOURCE: 2009 MEMBER SURVEY, AL ANON FAMILY GROUPS WORLD SERVICE HEADQUARTERS July

12 SOURCE: 2009 MEMBER SURVEY, AL ANON FAMILY GROUPS WORLD SERVICE HEADQUARTERS July Summary of More Key Findings The majority of members who: Joined due to someone else s drug use, LATER DISCOVER SOMEONE ELSE S ALCOHOLISM IS ALSO A FACTOR. Received treatment, counseling, or therapy before or after Al Anon NO LONGER DO. Were referred by a professional, ATTENDED AL ANON BECAUSE OF THE PROFESSIONAL S RECOMMENDATION. Members self diagnoses of physical/mental health problems IMPROVED AFTER AL ANON. 95% of members REPORT IMPROVED QUALITY OF SPIRITUAL LIFE AFTER AL ANON AL ANON MEMBERSHIP SURVEY AL ANON FAMILY GROUPS HEADQUARTERS, INC. July Al-Anon MEMBERS TELL THE WAY IT IS TODAY July

13 CALL TO ACTION FOR EDUCATORS Call to Action WHAT EDUCATORS CAN DO TO HELP STUDENTS AFFECTED BY SOMEONE ELSE S DRINKING July CALL TO ACTION FOR EDUCATORS 1. EDUCATE YOURSELF. Attend open meetings Know how to find a meeting schedule Learn more online at July CALL TO ACTION FOR EDUCATORS 2. RECOGNIZE THE OPPORTUNITY. July

14 CALL TO ACTION FOR EDUCATORS 3. ASK THE QUESTION. July CALL TO ACTION FOR EDUCATORS 4. SUGGEST AL ANON OR ALATEEN if appropriate. July CALL TO ACTION FOR EDUCATORS 5. FOLLOW UP WITH STUDENTS as appropriate. July

15 CALL TO ACTION FOR EDUCATORS 6. INQUIRE ABOUT HOLDING AN ALATEEN MEETING at your school. July Dear Teacher, I think it s time I told you why I have been acting out at school and crying sometimes. I think you know that something is wrong, because you keep asking me, What s the matter? The reason I haven t told you before is that I can t talk to you in the hallway with all the other kids staring at me and until now, I didn t feel like I could talk to anybody about it. July I m worried about my schoolwork. I keep getting in trouble for not doing my homework, and not listening in class. Sometimes I am so scared that I just get mad at everybody. I don t mean to yell. I just feel like everyone is picking on me at home and at school. You see, my dad has a drinking problem. It s called alcoholism. It means that he can t control his drinking. He comes home some nights really drunk and yells at all of us. July

16 Then mom yells back at him for being drunk and spending all the money. Sometimes he hits her, or my sister and me for no reason, just because he is drunk. Sometimes my sister and I are so scared that we hide in our room. I used to hate my mom and dad for all that mom for yelling at dad and making him even madder, and dad for his drinking. I don t hate them anymore because I found out why they were like that. July One day a lady came and talked to my mom, and I listened, too. She was the one who explained to us what alcoholism is. I learned that my dad was not horrible, just sick. He has a disease called alcoholism. She told us that when there is someone in the house with a drinking problem, the whole family gets hurt by it. July She also told my mom about Al Anon and Alateen. That is where families and friends of problem drinkers go to understand the disease of alcoholism and how they can stop being so scared and mad all the time. Now mom goes to Al Anon. It works, too. Mom doesn t scream at dad or us as much anymore. I go to Alateen, that s for kids affected by someone else s drinking. Sometimes we have friends who drink too. Now I understand, and it feels good not to be the only one with my kind of problem. July

17 I think that teachers and principals and other school staff should know about alcoholism, because then they would understand kids like me. If you know of any kids who might have a problem with a drinking parent or a drinking friend, you could tell them where they can get help. It really helped me. For more information please go to for locations of Al Anon and Alateen meetings. Signed, Your Student July For more information: publicoutreach@area61afg.org or visit TO ACCESS INFORMATION FOR YOU AND FOR YOUR STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO MAY BENEFIT FROM OUR ORGANIZATION July All About Al-Anon FOR EDUCATORS THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING! July