Jason grew up with an alcoholic mum, although it took him many years to realize that her drinking was a problem because of his dad’s controlling and abusive behaviour.  Jason began drinking in his early teens and started to get into trouble. He was anxious and always trying to conform to others. Eventually he married and moved frequently to get a new start in life, eventually moving from Canada to Australia. Jason found Al-Anon after being in another 12^th step group (CODA) for a couple of years. In Al-Anon he found that his fear reduced, he was able to build some real self-confidence and felt comfortable with his thoughts.

Victor was one of six kids and grew up with a violent alcoholic father, who was always drunk and angry. He moved out of home in his mid-teens to escape but found difficulty with relationships due to his fear and always expecting the worst. Victor read about 12^th Step programs in a book and came to Al-Anon to find out about the effects of alcoholism on him. In Al-Anon he realized that his family was sick, he was by-product of their dysfunction and this helped him to understand himself and others. Victor concentrates on one day at a time now, not dwelling on yesterday and worrying about tomorrow.

If someone else's drinking is causing you a problem then you can phone the Al-Anon Family Groups helpline on 1300 252 666 or go online at www.al-anon.org.au.