At first, I didn't think I belonged in Al-Anon

As the father of a heroin addict, I tried everything to get him to stop. Then he went missing; I didn't know if he was alive or dead. I reached out in sadness and Al-Anon was there.

I felt like an outsider at my first meeting because I thought my son's drug of choice was not alcohol. (Only later did I realize that he is also an alcoholic, as is my younger son.) Everyone there had a different story, but their feelings were the same as mine. When I shared, they said, "Keep Coming Back."

Both of my sons are serving time in prison, but they are alive, sober, and in recovery. I do not know what the future holds, but I know that if I give one hand to my Higher Power and the other to someone in need, I will keep my hands out of other people's business and I will be okay.

By John B., Connecticut
The Forum, June 2008