Al Anon Alateen

The progressive disease known as Alcoholism affects millions of people worldwide including the friends and family dealing with the adverse emotional effects that this addiction has on their lives.

If you or your loved one is facing problems due to an alcohol dependency, the most important thing to know is that alcoholism is a treatable disease and that there are many excellent treatments and programs worldwide such as "AA" or "Alcoholics Anonymous" and "Al-Anon/Alateen" available to help everyone involved.

One of the toughest problems faced when dealing with an individual who is addicted to alcohol is that they are in denial of their problem and most do not seek help until a serious issue arises such as a health related problem or legal issues due directly to their alcohol consumption.

This is sometimes avoided when friends and family recognize that the individuals' alcohol use has become a serious problem and an intervention is done before any potential irreversible damage or life threatening situation arises. If an intervention is successful, the alcoholic then receives the treatment he or she needs which can include therapy and/or medications to help them cope with this disease.

Loved ones of the alcoholic often times suffer serious emotional issues themselves especially when it comes to the children of an alcoholic parent. One of the best programs for adults and teenagers who have been affected by an alcoholic in their lives is the "Al-Anon Family Groups" which is available worldwide and free of charge.

"Al-Anon is for adult members who have been affected by someone close to them with an alcohol problem while "Alateen", which is sponsored by the members of "Al-Anon", is for young adults such as the children of an alcoholic parent who have been adversely affected by alcohol in their lives.