Al-Anon reaches out during recovery month

During National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month in September, the Northern Illinois Al-Anon Family Groups are reaching out to anyone who is troubled by alcoholism in a relative or friend.

The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of men, women, and teenagers whose sole purpose is personal recovery from the effects of another person's alcoholism.

Millions of Americans become addicted to alcohol sometime in their lives, according to federal government estimates. Millions of relatives and friends also suffer the effects of addictive drinking.

Yet family recovery is always possible, whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not.

The Al-Anon program is based on the Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts of Service adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous.

Al-Anon groups have provided non-professional, confidential support for families and friends of alcoholics for more than 55 years.

For times and locations of the 500-plus Al-Anon and Alateen groups in Illinois, visit www.niafg.org or call (888) 4AL-ANON (888) 425-2666, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.