About AL-ANON

Al-Anon began in May of 1951, started by Lois W. and Anne B. Lois was the wife of one of the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

During the early years of AA, spouses and family members traveled with their alcoholics to meetings. They soon realized that they too, could benefit from working the same Twelve Steps as the members of AA used.

They began to welcome other new members, and pass on to them what had been learned. The fellowship began on that very small level, and now serves over 20,000 groups throughout the world! Though we are separate from AA, we always cooperate with AA.

Photo by JamesBrey/iStock / Getty Images
Photo by JamesBrey/iStock / Getty Images