DETACHMENT
Alcoholism is a family disease. Living with the effects of someone
else's drinking is too devastating for most people to bear without help.
In Al-Anon we learn individuals are not responsible for
another person's disease or recovery from it.
We let go of our obsession with another's behavior
and begin to lead happier and more manageable lives, lives with dignity
and rights; lives guided by a Power greater than ourselves.
IN AL-ANON WE LEARN:
- Not to suffer because of the actions or reactions of
other people;
- Not to allow ourselves to be
used or abused by others in the interest of another's recovery;
-
Not to do for others what they could do for themselves;
-
Not to manipulate situations so others will eat, go to
bed, get up, pay bills, not drink;
- Not to
cover up for anyone's mistakes or misdeeds;
-
Not to create a crisis;
- Not to prevent a
crisis if it is in the natural course of events.
Detachment is neither kind nor unkind. It does
not imply judgement or condemnation of the person or situation from which
we are detaching. It is simply a means that allows us to separate
ourselves from the adverse effects that another person's alcoholism can
have upon our lives. Detachment helps families
look at their situations realistically and objectively, thereby making
intelligent decisions possible.
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