Helen grew up in a large family where both mum and dad were heavy drinkers. Being much younger than her siblings she eventually felt responsible for helping them out of their crises. After a nervous breakdown at work Helen realized that she could no longer keep her emotions bottled up inside and took the advice of a friend and a psychologist to go to Al-Anon Family Groups. Life of course got much better as she stopped people-pleasing, started to take responsibility for her own life choices and realized the part she played in the family disease of alcoholism.

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 al-anon.org.au.