Al-Anon/Alataeen - Washington, D.C., Metro Area

Welcome!

...We discover that no situation is really hopeless and that it is possible for us to find contentment, and even happiness, whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not.
— Al-Anon/Alateen Welcome

Al-Anon/Alateen Suggested Preamble


The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength, and hope in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery. Al-Anon is not allied with any sect, denomination, political entity, organization, or institution; does not engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any cause. There are no dues for membership. Al-Anon is self-supporting through its own voluntary contributions. Al-Anon has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps, by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics, and by giving understanding and encouragement to the alcoholic. Whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not, Al-Anon offers hope and recovery to all people affected by the alcoholism of a loved one or friend.

Our program of recovery is adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous and is guided by our Legacies: The Twelve Steps, Traditions, and Concepts. Al-Anon is not allied with any sect, denomination, political entity, organization or institution; does not engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any cause. There are no dues for membership. Al-Anon is self-supporting through its own voluntary contributions.
Additional information for newcomers may be found here. You may also go to al-anon.org/welcome to receive a welcome email with information for new members!

Are you a member interested in Al-Anon Service?


Click here for the presentations from the May 2021 virtual workshop "Journey Into Al-Anon Service Work," sponsored by AIS-DCSMD and hosted by District 13.

AIS-DCSMD is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Please see our folder Articles and By-laws documents for AIS-DCSMD's organizational documents.You may wish to review them to understand about our purpose and service activities as you consider volunteering for service opportunities. You may view Al-Anon's publication (G-4) about Information Service Centers for more information.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


Please note that the physical location of the AIS-DCSMD Service Center and Literature Depot is closed indefinitely, but calls are being answered remotely during our normal business hours of Tuesday through Thursday, 2-6 p.m. We will keep you aware of changes.

Due to Covid-19, what is the status of Al-Anon meetings in the District of Columbia, Montgomery County, and Prince George’s County?
Most Al-Anon and Alateen meetings in Washington DC, Montgomery and Prince Georges County are suspended. If your group is meeting again in person, please notify WSO with your updated group records.

Where can I find information about groups meeting face to face?
As meetings inform us that they have resumed meeting face to face, we will add them to our Resumed Face to Face Meetings spreadsheet, which includes important safety precautions decided upon by the individual groups.

Where can I find information about local electronic or phone meetings?
AIS-DCSMD has 93 AFGs in DC and suburban Maryland, including 4 in Spanish. Some have created an ad hoc meeting at the same time and day of their physical meeting. Click on the Find a Meeting page to see if your meeting is virtual. Reminder: Ad hoc Groups should know there are real issues of loss of anonymity and privacy with some of the services enabling their on-line meetings. Before setting one up, they should carefully read the terms of use and privacy policy of whatever platform the group is using.

Are there other electronic Al-Anon meetings outside the local area?
Yes, Al-Anon has more than 300 registered Electronic Al-Anon meetings available here with some meetings marked for the Newcomer/Beginner/Professional.

¿Dónde puedo encontrar reuniones electrónicas en español?
Las reuniones electrónicas de Al-Anon

I've never been to an Al-Anon meeting and I'm overwhelmed by the lists of electronic and phone meetings - can you help me pick one?
Yes! We are still responding to emails and answering the phone remotely during normal business hours, so please reach out with any questions. If you call outside of business hours and leave a message, please let us know if it is okay for us to leave a message if needed when we return your call. Calls are returned between 9 am and 9 pm.

Where can I still get literature?
You may purchase literature from the Al-Anon World Service Office, 1600 Corporate Landing Parkway, Virginia Beach, VA 23454-5617, http://www.al-anon.org under Al-Anon Store tab. For questions about ordering literature, contact Customer Service Telephone: (757) 563-1600, Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) 8:00-5:00 ET.



My group decided to have an electronic meeting. Can you post that information on the AIS-DCSMD Website?
Click on the Find a Meeting page to add the group's information. You will be taken to a Google Form, which will automatically add the information to an online spreadsheet (also accessible from the Find a Meeting page).

**************************************************************************************

The Al-Anon/Alateen Information Service of Washington DC and Suburban Maryland, Inc. serves Washington, D.C., Montgomery County, and Prince George's County.

If you are concerned about someone else's drinking, we encourage you to browse our website for information about the Al-Anon/Alateen program, or contact us. Your inquiry is confidential and anonymous.

Our hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 2-6 p.m., currently staffed remotely. The Literature Distribution Center is open on select days as indicated on our Events page.

Al-Anon Resources

The only requirement for membership is that there be a problem of alcoholism in a relative or friend.
— Tradition Three