CAL – Anonymity (Item # P-65)

WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This pamphlet came out in 1991 & was included in a media kit for outreach purposes. It mentions confidentiality & I started thinking of how that was different than anonymity.  Confidentiality implies trust (confidence) & indicates intimacy.  It’s how we relate to one another on a personal, private level.  It’s our…

CAL – Homeward Bound (Item # P-8)

WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This 48-page booklet was around only from 1993 to 2005 & was designed for newcomers that were introduced to Al-Anon through various treatment facilities.  Member sharings answer 10 frequently asked “What now?” questions about sobriety & making the transition to a 12-Step recovery program.  I’m glad Alateen sharings are also included…

CAL – Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism (Item # B-1)

To me, there’s something intriguing about reading discontinued books. I feel like I’m uncovering something they no longer want me to know. This is how I felt reading Al-Anon’s second book, “Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism” (item # B-1) that I got from our District Archives chairperson. 1. The first edition originally came out in 1965 at…

CAL – Having Had a Spiritual Awakening… (Item # B-25, eB-25)

WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This is Al-Anon’s first e-book (item # eB-25) that came out recently, but I don’t own an e-reader, so I had to check-out the discontinued hardcover book from our District’s Archivist.  We have so few books with pictures & this one does – but they’re all in black & white.  The e-reader…

CAL – Alateen–Hope for Children of Alcoholics (Item # B-3)

WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Alateen began in 1957, but they didn’t have their first hardcover book until this one came out in 1973.  Its origins were a pamphlet (which has been discontinued) & it was expanded to now have sections for Steps, Traditions, Slogans, Personal Stories, & an Alateen Timeline. 2. At 120 pages, it’s…

CAL – Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism 2014 (Item # N/A)

WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Ok, I must admit, during all the years I’ve passed out this magazine for outreach purposes, I never fully read through one until now.  I used to just read 1 or 2 of the articles & that was it.  And perhaps, maybe that’s how it’s read by people in doctor or counselor…

CAL – Freedom from Despair (Item # P-6)

Last week I finished the Alateen Newcomer Packet (item # K-18).  That means I’m done with all 6 types of packets (whoo-hoo!) & I’m moving on with other pamphlets.  It seems going back to the beginning is a good place to start… 1. According to page 88 of the (discontinued) book “First Steps: Al-Anon–35 Years of Beginnings” (item…

CAL – Anne’s Story (Item # P-66)

WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Although this is a discontinued pamphlet, in my search for more info on Anne B. (the other co-founder of Al-Anon Family Groups), I was glad to find that there was a piece of CAL just dedicated to her. 2. I had no idea that she & Lois W. were neighbors.  It…