This week (February 12 – 18, 2017), and perennially, Valentine’s Day (Feb 14) week, is Children of Alcoholics Awareness Week.

If you are an individual choosing alcohol or another addictive substance, as a coping mechanism for life’s stressors… there is help.

If you are a child or teen of an alcoholic (COA) or an adult child of an alcoholic (ACOA)… there is help.

If you are a spouse of a person who chooses a substance, over time with you and family on a regular basis… there is help.

If you are a grandparent, taking care of a grandchild, because the child’s parents are suffering from addiction, 
or in an early stage of recovery… there is help.

Helpful resources:
National Association for Children of Alcoholics
Al-Anon Al-Ateen
Alcoholics Anonymous

From Source: http://www.choosehelp.com/experts/alcoholism/alcoholism-anna-deeds/alternatives-to-alcoholics-anonymous
“You need to find a recovery program that you are comfortable with. If you don’t like the program, you aren’t likely to participate enough to get the help you need. Here are some alternatives to Alcoholics Anonymous:

SMART Recovery – A self-empowering addiction recovery support group based on scientific research. They follow a 4 point system of building and maintaining motivation, coping with urges, managing thoughts, feelings and behaviors and living a balanced life. They have meeting in the community and online.

Rational Recovery – A self-guided form of recovery based on education and learning to control addictive thinking. It does not have support groups and is available through the Rational Recovery website.

Moderation Management – A program of behavioral change and support group for moderation or abstinence. It differs from other programs in that it does not advocate an abstinence only approach.

Life Ring – A peer support group based on abstinence. It follows the principle that each addict has an “addict self” and a “sober self.” Peers support each other by reinforcing the “sober self.”

Secular Organizations for Sobriety – A non-religious alternative to 12-Step recovery.”

Moving forward with a listening heart,
vision, inquiry, and action,
~ Mary