Tag: Help

CAL – From Survival to Recovery (Item # B-21)

WHAT I LEARNED: 1. For the fellowship, “From Survival to Recovery: Growing Up in an Alcoholic Home” (item # B-21) marked a major turning point in fully welcoming adult children of alcoholics in the mid 90’s.  At 300 pages, it’s probably only a few pounds, but it felt so much heavier than that because of all…

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CAL – Taking a Group Inventory (Item # G-8)

2011 Version WHAT I LEARNED: 1. In 2011, this guideline was expanded to be more inclusive of Alateen meetings & even though it is technically still 1 guideline (item # G-8), it was divided into 2 sections: G-8a which includes several lists of questions, & G-8b “Methods & Reflections” – which offer “how-to” suggestions on…

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CAL – Cooperation Between Al–Anon & AA (Item # G-3)

WHAT I LEARNED: 1. In the spirit of Tradition 6, this guideline answers 11 frequently asked questions that help clarify the difference between affiliation & cooperation between the Al-Anon & AA organizations.  It’s basically how not to get our chocolate mixed up with their peanut butter.  …Sure the combination of flavors might taste great for some, but…

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CAL – 12 Steps & 12 Traditions for Alateen (Item # P-18)

WHAT I LEARNED: 1. At 48 pages, this is the longest pamphlet in the CAL catalog because it’s filled with a little info about each Step & Tradition followed by several related questions & personal stories from Alateen members.  The reflections share quite a bit about when good Traditions go bad, so for someone like…

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CAL – How Can I Help My Children? (Item # P-9)

WHAT I LEARNED: 1.“Helping” is a tricky word in this program.  This pamphlet basically boils down to setting a good example & “Secure your own mask first” before assisting children (or anyone else for that matter).  It’s full of tips, personal stories, a checklist for parents, Steps, Traditions, slogans, & an excerpt from the pamphlet “Dear…

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CAL – Just for Today Wallet Card (Item # M-10)

WHAT I LEARNED: This wallet card has been around since 1954 & I thought, given its small size, it would have less on it than the bookmark version (item # M-12), but it actually has more.  It has 2 extra sentences – one about the Seventh Tradition & the second refers to the 10 other…

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CAL – What Do YOU Do about the Alcoholic’s Drinking? (Item # P-19)

WHAT I LEARNED: I’ve always misinterpreted the title of this pamphlet to be “What Can You Do…” & I thought it would be chock-full of helpful tips, but now that I’ve read through the whole thing I think the title could be re-named: “Crazy Things You Do to Control the Alcoholic.”  It’s a list of 63 strategies & techniques that only…

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CAL – Youth & the Alcoholic Parent (Item # P-21)

Last week I finished the Professional Packet (item # K-30).  (What I learned about all the other items in that packet can be found in previous entries for the general Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (K-10).)   …This week, I’m starting the very last packet, whew! WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This is the second pamphlet in the Alateen Newcomer Packet…

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CAL – Fact Sheet for Professionals (Item # S-37ES)

Last week I finished the Men’s Newcomer Packet (item # K-23) since all the other items in the packet are ones I’ve already commented on.  Time to move onto the next packet… WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This is the first pamphlet in the Professional Packet (K-30) & the Al-Anon program is not described as a…

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CAL – Does She Drink Too Much? (Item # P-62)

This is the third pamphlet in the Men’s Newcomer Packet (item # K-23) & it’s the first one I’ve come across that has photos in it – which seems to be a rare thing in our CAL, but I digress… WHAT I LEARNED: 1. More importantly, I found out the answer to this pamphlet’s title is…

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