Taking Care of Ourselves

How Al-Anon Works for Families and Friends of Alcoholics

p. 87-89

"Alcoholism is a threefold disease--physical, mental, and spiritual. Many of us have neglected our health on all three of these fronts, so our recovery from the effects of alcoholism must be threefold as well."

OUR MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH

"It is especially important to provide ourselves with with a place to express these feelings where we will receive the support and encouragement we need, such as a regular Al-Anon meeting at which we feel comfortable sharing. 

It is also important to be reminded that feelings aren't facts. No matter how intense the feelings may be, they are only feelings. They are reactions to, rather than reflections of, reality. Therefore, they are not necessarily the best basis for decision-making. Other people can help us to value the experience of our emotions without acting on them in ways that we might regret once the feelings have passed."