Southern Illinois Al-Anon/Alateen Family Groups (SIAFG), Area 16, is made up of twelve Districts covering the lower two thirds of the state of Illinois. Each District is made up of individual groups, all with a single purpose: to help the families and friends of Alcoholics.

If you are concerned with someone else's drinking, the Al-Anon program can help you. The following is a commonly used Al-Anon Newcomer's Welcome that may be read to you at a local group meeting. This welcome contains the essence of the Al-Anon program.

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NEWCOMER'S WELCOME

As a newcomer you may feel that you are here tonight for the alcoholic, that your presence here may teach you how to stop his or her drinking. The truth is you are here BECAUSE of the Alcoholic and not FOR the alcoholic. You will soon learn that you did not cause the alcoholic to drink, you cannot control the drinking, nor can you cure the alcoholic. You are here for YOURSELF. You and you alone are responsible for dealing with your own pain. This is YOUR program, it is YOUR recovery from the effects of the disease of alcoholism.

You will find love, understanding, and a lot of hope from the Al-Anon family group. The people around you tonight are experiencing, in varying degrees, the hurt, the anger, the anxiety you may be feeling. We in Al-Anon share our experiences because it helps us to focus on ourselves and our recovery. We do this with the use of the Al-Anon tools of the program (steps, slogans, literature) which are available for you.

AL-ANON WILL WORK FOR YOU IF YOU ALLOW IT TO. It's as effective as you make it. It's the safe place, the right place to be. Feel free to ask ANY questions, or you may feel more comfortable just listening, that's fine too. There are no “musts” in Al-Anon.

Finally, what you say or hear here and who you see here stays in this room. Your anonymity is protected at all times.

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Please feel free to reach out and contact an Al-Anon/Alateen family group near you. Your anonymity is assured. You may find help in locating an Al-Anon family group by selecting the Area and District Info link, looking in your local phone book, or asking a minister or clinical specialist.

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