CAL – Discovering Choices (Item # B-30)

WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This book almost didn’t happen.  Originally, it was only supposed to be a revision to “The Dilemma of the Alcoholic Marriage” (item # B-4), but the revisions were becoming too extensive & the focus on just marital relationships was too narrow.  So in 2001, concept approval was given to create this…

CAL – Detachment (Item # S-19)

WHAT I LEARNED: This leaflet started out in a World Service Office newsletter for professionals to educate them on how Al-Anon uses the word “detachment” but this outreach piece soon became a runaway hit with members for their own personal recovery.  At a meeting last year, I heard this leaflet read aloud & the first…

CAL – Alateen-a day at a time (Item # B-10)

WHAT I LEARNED: 1. As of this year, 2013, this book has been around for 30 years!  It’s Alateen’s first daily reader & is very different than Alateen’s second daily reader “Living Today in Alateen” (item # B-26).  It seems it is for older teens because there are no pictures, drawings, or even quotes from…

CAL – Living Today in Alateen (Item # B-26)

WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Unlike the other Alateen daily reader, “Alateen-a day at a time, (item # B-10), since “Living Today in Alateen” (B-26) is the newer one (from 2001) it includes quotes from “Courage to Change” (B-16), “From Survival to Recovery” (item # B-21), & “Paths to Recovery” (B-24).  For some reason, I assumed…

CAL – Courage to Be Me – Living with Alcoholism (Item # B-23)

WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This is the first Alateen book I’ve ever read & I was not prepared!  I should’ve had a box of tissues along with it – especially for the “Happy/Sad” section that begins on page 300.  The simplicity & direct honesty felt like I was reading a bunch of diary entries from…

CAL – Did you Grow up With a Problem Drinker? (Item # S-25)

WHAT I LEARNED: This is the sixth item in the Adult Children of Alcoholics Newcomer Packet (item # K-21) & is a personal favorite of mine.  When I first came into the program I was given this leaflet & I remember secretly answering “Yes” to all 20 questions.  It spooked me because I thought “How…

CAL – Just for Today Bookmark (Item # M-12)

WHAT I LEARNED: This is the ninth item in the general Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (item # K-10) & I must admit, I have a favorite side of this bookmark – it’s the one with the St Francis prayer on it.  So it’s been a long time since I actually turned it over to read the other side…