Al-Anon
Al-Anon has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. This support group practices the Twelve Steps by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics, and by giving understanding and encouragement to the alcoholic.
Local Family Support Groups
Addiction impacts the whole family and there is often a lot of healing that needs to occur, even though family members close to the individual who is struggling with substance misuse may not be suffering from any kind of addiction themselves. Support groups for families of drug addicts serve as an important aid in the recovery of the individual as well as that individual’s community.
Alateen
Alateen, for younger family members and friends, is a part of Al-Anon Family Groups. Alateen is a place where members come together to share experiences, strength and hope to find effective ways to cope with problems.
Al-Anon
How It Works
Al-Anon Family Groups, founded in 1951, is a “worldwide fellowship that offers a program of recovery for the families and friends of alcoholics, whether or not the alcoholic recognizes the existence of a drinking problem or seeks help.”
Al-Anon defines itself as an independent fellowship with the stated purpose of helping relatives and friends of alcoholics. According to the organization, alcoholism is a family illness.
Not an intervention program, Al-Anon does not have the stated primary purpose of arresting another’s compulsive drinking. Members meet in groups. Meetings are usually small (five to twenty-five); in larger meetings, members often split into smaller groups after the opening readings so everyone has a chance to speak.
Alateen
How It Works
Alateen, part of the Al-Anon Family Groups, is a fellowship of young Al-Anon members, usually teenagers, whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. Young people come together to:
- share experience, strength and hope with each other;
- discuss their difficulties;
- learn effective ways to cope with their problems;
- encourage one another; and,
- help each other understand the principles of the Al-Anon program.
They believe alcoholism is a family disease because it affects all the members emotionally and sometimes physically. Although we cannot change or control our parents, we can detach from their problems while continuing to love them.
Local Programs
Greater Charleston Al-Anon & Alateen
http://www.greatercharlestonal-anon.com/
(843) 762-6999
alanonsc_d7@yahoo.com
Many who come to Al-Anon/Alateen are in despair, feeling hopeless, unable to believe that things can ever change. We want our lives to be different, but nothing we have done has brought about change. We all come to Al-Anon because we want and need help.
In Al-Anon and Alateen, members share their own experience, strength, and hope with each other. You will meet others who share your feelings and frustrations, if not your exact situation. We come together to learn a better way of life, to find happiness whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not.
Al-Anon Family Groups of SC
Electronic meetings are also available through the Al-Anon World Service Office website.
The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength, and hope in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery.
Al-Anon is not allied with any sect, denomination, political entity, organization, or institution; does not engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any cause. There are no dues for membership. Al-Anon is self-supporting through its own voluntary contributions.
Family Support
Seacoast Care MinistryThis program assists people who have loved ones with addictions and helps them get their own lives back. By focusing on how the individual family member is contributing to the problem, they learn how to change their own thoughts and behaviors to not only stop the enabling of their loved one’s problem but to also bring back a sense of normalcy to their own lives. Childcare is provided at no cost (birth – 5th grade).
Recovery Is Possible
Join Us
Recovery Talk
The Latest News & Updates
100% Hope: Every Dollar’s Purpose in Supporting Recovery
Every dollar donated to our mission goes directly toward creating tangible support for individuals and families impacted by substance use.
Rebuilding Together: How WakeUp Carolina’s Community Empowers Recovery
Over the years, we’ve seen countless individuals and families rebuild their lives, supported by the strength of people who understand, uplift, and walk with them every step of the way.
Why Conversations Matter: The Power of Open Dialogue in Recovery
At WakeUp Carolina, we’ve seen firsthand the impact of one conversation on someone’s life—turning a moment of struggle into a breakthrough, a feeling of isolation into one of support.