WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This is the seventh pamphlet in the general Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (item # K-10) & is the only one marked “Service” on the front (instead of “Recovery”). I imagine that’s because this pamphlet is also used as outreach literature. 2. This pamphlet addresses 15 common Frequently Asked Questions – especially regarding…
Tag: Newcomer
CAL – A Guide for the Family of the Alcoholic (Item # P-7)
This is the sixth pamphlet in the general Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (item # K-10) & is one of the few examples of early “outside literature” being grandfathered into the CAL catalog. It was issued in 1962 & is primarily based on an article by a non-member: the former director of the Charlotte Council on Alcoholism. This pamphlet…
CAL – Dear Mom & Dad (Item # P-67)
WHAT I LEARNED: This is the fifth pamphlet in the general Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (item # K-10). It mostly features testimonials from Alateen members, but what I really found interesting is this was the first time I’ve read the Alateen preamble. I thought only a few words would be changed compared to the one I’m used to…
CAL – So You Love an Alcoholic (Item # P-14)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. So you love an alcoholic? Well join the club! This is the fourth pamphlet in the general Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (item # K-10). I like that it lists several “Do’s” & “Don’ts.” I’ve seen a great list like this for Alateen (item # M-9), but this is the first one I’ve…
CAL – Understanding Ourselves & Alcoholism (Item # P-48)
WHAT I LEARNED: This is the third pamphlet in the general Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (item # K-10) & I think it could’ve easily been named “Been There, Done That!” It lays out the predictable patterns of both the alcoholic & the non-alcoholic with such precision it seems it could be a science. This pamphlet doesn’t sugar-coat…
CAL – Information for the Newcomer (Item # S-4)
WHAT I LEARNED: In my view, this pamphlet is a short breakdown of each part of the preamble read at the beginning of meetings. I can see why, of the 6 different types of Packets available, this is the first pamphlet of the most popular one: the general Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (item # K-10). It answers 11 frequently asked…
CAL – Purpose & Suggestions (Item # P-13)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Lois W. & Anne B. wrote this as Al-Anon’s very first pamphlet in 1951. Interestingly, its title used to be “Purposes & Suggestions.” According to “The Al-Anon Family Groups (Classic Edition)” (item # B-5), the title was changed in 1976 affirming only one purpose (see Tradition 5). …Makes me curious what…
MTG – Maitland – “Carrying the Message AFG”
WHAT I LEARNED: I’m humbled by the rawness of stories from newcomers. The sheer honesty is piercing. If I ever minimize my progress in this program, I’ll come back to this Newcomer’s Meeting for a wake up call.
"CAL Chat" Blog ~My journey in Al-Anon~ 