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EnglishWhat Is BhamAlAnon and Who Is It For?
Updated
BhamAlAnon is the website for Greater Birmingham Al-Anon and Alateen Family Groups, a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics serving Jefferson, Shelby, Blount, and St. Clair Counties in Alabama. It is for anyone whose life has been affected by someone else's drinking—spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, and close friends alike. The only requirement for membership is that there be a problem of alcoholism in a relative or friend.
What the Fellowship Offers
The site describes a shared purpose: members come together to share "experience, strength, and hope" in order to solve common problems. Two core beliefs frame the approach:
- Alcoholism is a family illness.
- Changed attitudes can aid recovery.
Al-Anon states that it is not allied with any sect, denomination, political entity, organization, or institution, does not engage in controversy, and neither endorses nor opposes any cause. There are no dues for membership; the fellowship is self-supporting through voluntary contributions. Its single purpose is to help families of alcoholics—practiced through the Twelve Steps, by welcoming and comforting families, and by giving understanding and encouragement to the alcoholic.
Alateen: The Program for Young People
Alateen is the fellowship's recovery program for young people, and Alateen groups are sponsored by Al-Anon members. If the person affected by a relative's or friend's drinking is a teenager, Alateen is the relevant entry point rather than an adult Al-Anon group.
What Happens at a Meeting
The site addresses the questions most people have before attending a first meeting:
| Question | What the site says |
|---|---|
| Who are the members? | Thousands of members from every walk of life; whatever your relationship to the alcoholic, you will find someone in a similar situation |
| Where are meetings held? | Local schools, churches, and hospitals |
| When? | Seven days a week, both day and night |
| How long? | Most last about an hour; some have no formal closing time |
| Can I come and go? | You can enter or leave a meeting anytime you choose |
Meetings are described as a safe place to talk about dealing with the effects of alcoholism in a friend or loved one. The site notes that almost everyone had questions before their first meeting, and that many members still return years later because meetings help them heal and offer hope.
Who Should Use This Site
This site is a practical starting point if you:
- Live in or near Jefferson, Shelby, Blount, or St. Clair Counties and want to find a local meeting.
- Are unsure whether Al-Anon is right for you and want to understand the fellowship before attending.
- Are a young person seeking an Alateen group sponsored by Al-Anon members.
- Want to read the group's stated principles—anonymity, no dues, non-affiliation—before making contact.
Getting Started
The site invites visitors to email with additional questions if they need help deciding whether Al-Anon is for you. Before reaching out, it helps to know two things the page makes clear: attendance is open to anyone with an alcoholic relative or friend, and you can walk into a meeting at its start time or leave whenever you choose. If you are considering a first meeting, the main practical step is locating one of the local groups meeting in your county—the site's meeting information is the place to begin.