Al Anon suggested opening says, " In Al-Anon we discover that no situation is really hopeless."

[Adsos Letter]

2. I can empathize with having an alcoholic parent.

My mom was alcoholic, went through two recovery programs plus AA, and relapsed each time. Finally developed a wet brain, and died at age 50.

I was an only kid, and I was stuck in the middle of all of the dysfuntion and fighting between my parents. She spent and borrowed pretty freely, and fights about money and drinking became a huge issue. As soon as I turned 17 I joined the Army to get away from home.

My dad always blamed me for my mom's drinking, insisting that "if you were a better kid your mom wouldn't drink so much." I'm 63 now, and I know objectively that it wasn't true, but on an emotional level it still does damage. Some things sink deeply into the core of who we are, and can be very difficult to undo.

While I agree with the other poster about the phrase being designed to bolster those in relationship with alcoholics, I also understand what you are saying. Sometimes you just have to let go.

Peace be with you, raccoon.