Secular Al-Anon
"The relatives of alcoholics, when gathered together for mutual aid, may call themselves an Al-Anon Family Group, provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation. The only requirement for membership is that there be a problem of alcoholism in a relative or friend."
--Al-Anon's third tradition
This web page is for people interested in recovery from the effects of someone else's drinking in their lives, who want Al-Anon to be a comfortable place for people of no religion, any religion, or any uncertainty on such issues. It offers contacts and resources. If you have a secular Al-Anon meeting or want to start one, please consider listing your meeting here and using this page to help you get started.
What is a secular Al-Anon meeting?
Secular Al-Anon meetings have removed religious references from their readings and religious practices from their format. Terms such as "higher power" can be substituted for "God" in the readings. Prayer can be abandoned completely or can be replaced with secular material. Examples of readings, closings and format are given on this page.
Aside from these changes, a secular meeting is just like any other Al-Anon meeting. No attempt is made to prevent people from sharing what they need to, including religious terminology. So long as they don't proselytize, cross-talk or disrupt, they can feel comfortable at the meeting.
Meetings
Online
Secular Al-Anon Study Group
A different topic every week
Mondays 3 PM Pacific Time
For more information:
Leslie, Vancouver, B.C., co-sponsor, secular.alanon.step.study@gmail.com
Wednesday, 12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada) Any Faith or None for Parents
A secular meeting for parents of alcoholics. The meeting is also open to family and friends.
For login information contact:
anyfaithornoneafg@gmail.com
Wed. 7:30 PM Mountain Time Not a Religious Program
Contact us for meeting info.
Contact: Kim L. 208-284-6826
boisesecularalanon@gmail.com
Thursdays 12:00 PM Eastern Time Open Minds
A topic and literature group
Contact us for meeting info.
Contact: Margo K. 703-481-6218
freethinker1afg@gmail.com
Fri. 12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada) Any Faith Or None AFG
A secular meeting for friends and families of alcoholics. Observers welcome. As individuals we are free to express ourselves but as a group we do not pray.
For login information contact: anyfaithornoneafg@gmail.com
If you would like to list your meeting on this page, send your meeting information to
boisesecularalanon@gmail.com
Resources
Meeting format used by Wednesday night group
12 Steps used by Wednesday night
12 Traditions used by Wednesday night
Alternative 12 Steps from members of secular Al-Anon
Short description of what the steps do for us.
Getting a secular Al-Anon meeting into WSO's meeting list
An appeal to the World Conference to enable groups in WSO's meeting list to reach out to atheists, agnostics, and polytheists.
Personal Stories and Podcasts
Listen to an interview of Chia., co-founder of the Wednesday night secular Al-Anon group.
Listen to an interview of Kim L., co-founder of the Wednesday night secular Al-Anon group.
Listen to an atheist in Al-Anon. 32 minutes
Just for Fun