AL-ANON MEMBER BLOG
What Keeps You Coming Back?
When did you decide that Al-Anon was right for you, and what has kept you coming back? Did the decision come as a moment of clarity, or did it grow slowly through shared experience, strength, hope, and gentle understanding? We invite you to reflect on your journey, or to share on one or more of our Legacies. This month features Step Nine, Tradition Nine, and Concept Nine.
Please share with us at al-anon.org/member-blog.
Sharings on the Member Blog may be used in future Al-Anon publications.
New topics are being added each month!
September 2026 Forum Member Blog Topic
Al-Anon Member Blog
Member Blog
Share Your Recovery on Our Member Blog
The Member Blog on al-anon.org is an excellent resource for reading about the experience, strength, and hope of fellow members, as well as sharing your own!
The monthly blog topics are a great source for meeting topics, and members are welcome to chair meetings using these topics. However, while the blog aims to connect and inspire members to share their recovery stories, comments posted on the blog topic of the month are not meant to be used in meetings, as they have not been reviewed through our member-review processes.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when submitting your posts:
- When comments are submitted to the blog, they enter a moderation process that may take up to ten business days.
- Moderators may edit comments in accordance with Al-Anon policy to remove personally identifiable information and ensure anonymity is protected. Additionally, they may remove derogatory language, inflammatory statements, or content unrelated to the topic.
- Moderators reserve the right to not publish comments that do not align with Al‑Anon's Traditions and spiritual principles, including those that could potentially draw Al-Anon into controversy.
- The comment feature is disabled on articles related to Al-Anon policy. Members are encouraged to use their links of service to discuss these articles.
Visit al-anon.org/member-blog today to read, share, be inspired, and inspire others on their recovery journey!
Reprinted with permission of Al‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA.
Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism
Fresh Content for Effective Public Outreach!
New Look, Fresh Content—Enduring Message of Help and Hope
A brand-new edition of Al‑Anon Faces Alcoholism (AFAM) is here, but its heart remains the same. Meaningful member sharings and insightful professional articles introduce potential newcomers to Al‑Anon and Alateen. Designed for effective public outreach, Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism helps professionals guide clients and patients affected by another’s alcoholism to find support and recovery in Al-Anon Family Groups. You can help carry the message by purchasing copies to share within your community and with professionals for referral. Go to al-anon.org/shop to order.
New Literature Development
What Do Al-Anon Principles Have to Do with My Money?
A new piece of literature, approved for development by the 2024 World Service Conference, is seeking sharings about members’ relationship with finances in Al-Anon recovery.
The family disease of alcoholism impacts us physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. How have you been affected? How have you applied Al-Anon principles to your financial life? Please share your experience, strength, and hope with us!
Go to al‑anon.org/sharing to see the writing guide and submit your sharing.
Children of Alcoholics Literature Available
Where to Find More About Children of Alcoholics
Are you interested in Conference Approved Literature about growing up with alcoholism? Here are some resources:
· Did You Grow up with a Problem Drinker? (S-25)
· Al-Anon Sharings from Adult Children (P-47)
· From Survival to Recovery (B-21)
· Courage to Be Me (B-23)
· Hope for Today (B-27)
· Opening Our Hearts, Transforming Our Losses (B-29), pages 57-73
· …In All Our Affairs: Making Crises Work for You (B-15), various sharings throughout
Available from local Literature Distribution Centers or at al-anon.org/shop.
New Literature Development-Sponsorship
Do You Have a Sponsor? Have You Sponsored Someone?
Will you share your experience in writing for a new piece of Conference Approved Literature
(CAL) on Sponsorship and Service Sponsorship? Will you announce at your meetings that
sharings are needed?
Here are some topics to consider:
• Learning to trust with the help of my Sponsor
• Passing on my knowledge as a Service Sponsor
• Letting go of my secrets in safety
• Studying the Legacies together
• Losing my Sponsor unexpectedly
• Discovering the spiritual principles of sponsorship
• Choosing a different Sponsor
• Learning to love unconditionally as a Sponsor
Please visit al-anon.org/sharing to view the writing guide and submit your sharing today.
eBooks Available
Latest E-Books Available
Explore the Latest CAL Titles Now Available as eBooks
The World Service Office continues to release Conference Approved Literature (CAL) in ebook format each month. See what’s new this month!
Most recent eBook releases:
· The Al-Anon Family Groups – Classic Edition (eB-5)
· Alateen—Hope for Children of Alcoholics (eB-3) expanded to new platforms
· Opening Our Hearts, Transforming Our Losses (eB-29) expanded to new platforms
Existing eBooks:
· Alateen—Hope for Children of Alcoholics (eB-3)
· One Day at a Time in Al-Anon (eB-6)
· Al-Anon’s Twelve Steps & Twelve Traditions (Revised) (eB-8)
· Alateen – a day at a time (eB-10)
· As We Understood… (eB-11)
· …In All Our Affairs: Making Crises Work for You (eB-15)
· Courage to Change: One Day at a Time in Al-Anon II (eB-16)
· From Survival to Recovery (eB-21)
· How Al-Anon Works for Families & Friends of Alcoholics (eB-22)
· Courage to Be Me—Living with Alcoholism (eB-23)
· Having Had a Spiritual Awakening… (eB-25)
· Living Today in Alateen (eB-26)
· Hope for Today (eB-27) Opening Our Hearts, Transforming Our Losses (eB-29)
· Discovering Choices – Recovery in Relationships (eB-30)
· Many Voices, One Journey(eB-31)
· Intimacy in Alcoholic Relationships (eB-33)
· A Little Time for Myself (eB-34)
· 2026-2029 Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual (eP24/27)
Go to al-anon.org/shop to order.
The Forum
Le lien and Al-Anon y Alateen en acción: When Recovery Is Found in Translation!
t ttAlongside The Forum, the French and Spanish magazines Le lien and Al‑Anon y Alateen en acción support families and friends of alcoholics as part of Al‑Anon’s worldwide fellowship. As we celebrate 75 years of dedication and contributions, join us in this special look into their history.
Fun Facts
- Prior to 2023, the magazines only included translated excerpts from The Forum—today, they also feature original French and Spanish sharings.
- Printed bimonthly, each issue contains approximately 8,000 translated words drawn from The Forum.
- The publication schedule expanded over time. Through 2008, four issues were published annually, increasing to five issues in 2009. Beginning in 2012, publication increased to six issues per year, which remains the current frequency.
- In 2018, a redesign introduced a full‑color upgrade to improve readability and visual appeal. The former newsletters were reclassified as magazines, and over time, pages were added, allowing for more stories, quotes, and photos.
- In 2022, all writing and submission guidelines were translated, along with the online submission forms and related webpages, strengthening inclusivity and preserving rich cultural perspectives.
- The publication schedule expanded over time. Through 2008, four issues were published annually, increasing to five issues in 2009. Beginning in 2012, publication increased to six issues per year, which remains the current frequency.
- Selected content from the magazines is shared across languages in Le Messager and En Contacto, the French and Spanish electronic newsletter editions of In The Loop.
Their Impact
The magazines allow French- and Spanish-speaking members to stay connected to the fellowship in their own language. Since 2021, all three magazines—The Forum, Le lien, and Al‑Anon y Alateen en acción—feature the Legacies corresponding to the same publication month, helping groups learn together across languages. Members will find stories, service updates, World Service Office news, and articles labeled “Feel free to reprint” for use on service arm websites or in newsletters. The current issue is available as a free download at al-anon.org/abonnement-le-lien for French and al-anon.org/suscribir-en-accion for Spanish.
Simple Ways to Contribute
- Support members and groups by helping them understand the value of the magazines, encouraging submissions, and offering individual, group, or gift subscriptions through Coordinators or local representatives.
- Submit a bilingual sharing at al-anon.org/sharing
- Encourage your group to explore the magazines as a tool for recovery during and between meetings and to support French- or Spanish-speaking members or newcomers. Visit al-anon.org/abonnement-le-lien for French and al‑anon.org/suscribir-en-accion for Spanish.
Reprinted with permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA.
Al-Anon Literature Distribution Centers
Discover LDCs
The Role of Al-Anon LDCs
Al-Anon Literature Distribution Centers (LDCs) provide Al-Anon members with local access to and quick delivery of Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature (CAL) and other Al-Anon materials. The LDCs and the World Service Office (WSO) work in partnership to carry the message of hope and recovery through Conference Approved Literature and service tools. LDCs can purchase literature at a discounted price from the WSO, which allows them to offer it to members in their local Area. Members can purchase literature from their local LDC, thereby supporting local services, or directly from the WSO.
The WSO does not sell printed copies of CAL on platforms like Amazon; however, electronic versions are available through several ebook vendor platforms. While we cannot prevent others from reselling our printed literature on services such as Amazon, members should be aware that purchasing through such sources does not support Al-Anon’s links of service. We encourage members to purchase printed literature from their local LDC or the WSO, which ensures fair pricing and supports our service links.
For more information, please refer to “Local Services” in the “Digest of Al-Anon and Alateen Policies” section of the Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27).
“Inside Al‑Anon Family Groups” presents news, policy, and commentary from volunteers, staff and readers sharing experience through service. Please feel free to reprint these articles on your service structure website or newsletter, along with this credit line: Reprinted with permission of AlAnon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA.
Michigan Literature Distribution Centers
Where to order Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature in Michigan:
You may explore Al-Anon's Conference Approved Literature (CAL) at the World Service Office (WSO) website and/or order CAL from a Literature Distribution Center (LDC) such as those listed below.
Detroit Metro Literature Distribution Center
(313) 242-0300
info@al-anon-semi.org
Central Michigan/Greater Lansing Area
(517) 858-2858
Oakland Literature Distribution Center
(248) 706-1020
info@oaklandafg.org
https://oaklandafg.org/
Michigan Thumb Area
(989) 912-5478
MIThumbAreaAFG@yahoo.com
In the Loop
Stay Current with WSO News
Did you know the World Service Office (WSO) has a free email newsletter?
In The Loop makes it easy for Al-Anon members worldwide to stay informed about events, service opportunities, new resources, and highlights from Conference Approved Literature (CAL).
What started long ago with Lois W. mailing letters to early Al‑Anon groups has evolved into a modern, multilingual newsletter—available in English, Spanish, and French.
Delivered twice a month (plus special editions), it’s the easiest way to stay connected.
Subscribe today at al-anon.org/emailme