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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