Both Sue & Terri grew up in a pretty normal household but later realized that the effects of alcoholism were evident from the beginning.

Sue left home at 18 years old to escape family duties and found that work was a chance to socialize. Meeting her husband through work she realized that he liked a drink but thought that could be managed. After 15 years of trying to cope with the effects of her husband’s drinking Sue admitted her problem to her mum, who suggested Al-Anon. Even though her husband didn’t stop drinking Sue found that Al-Anon helped her to develop her own life and have a much better relationship with him.

Terri was the youngest of six kids and by the time she was 10 years old her brother’s alcoholism had become a problem. She travelled overseas at 17 yo and was staying with him when his life spiralled out of control and he came into AA. Back home Terri went to university and met her partner in the uni culture of heavy drinking and partying. Her life eventually became focussed on his drinking and it wasn’t until he went into rehab that she found out about Al-Anon.  It helped Terri to focus on her own recovery, re-establishing broken friendships and rediscovering her sober partner.

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.