Millions of people are affected by the excessive drinking of someone close. The following questions are designed to help you decide whether or not you need Al-Anon:

• Do you worry about how much someone else drinks?
• Do you have money problems because of someone else’s drinking?
• Do you tell lies to cover up for someone else’s drinking?
• Do you feel that if the drinker cared about you, he or she would stop drinking to please you?
• Do you blame the drinker’s behaviour on his or her companions?
• Are plans frequently upset or cancelled or meals delayed because of the drinker?
• Do you make threats, such as, “If you don’t stop drinking, I’ll leave you”?
• Do you secretly try to smell the drinker’s breath?
• Are you afraid to upset someone for fear it will set off a drinking bout?
• Have you been hurt or embarrassed by a drinker’s behaviour?
• Are holidays and gatherings spoiled because of drinking?
• Have you considered calling the police for help in fear of abuse?
• Do you search for hidden alcohol?
• Do you ever ride in a car with a driver who has been drinking?
• Have you refused social invitations out of fear or anxiety?
• Do you feel like a failure because you can’t control the drinking?
• Do you think that if the drinker stopped drinking, your other problems would be solved?
• Do you ever threaten to hurt yourself to scare the drinker?
• Do you feel angry, confused, or depressed most of the time?
• Do you feel there is no one who understands your problems?

If you have answered “yes” to any of these questions, Al-Anon or Alateen may help you. To contact Al-Anon in your area, find the nearest meeting on the meetings page or find contact information on the contacts page.