Experience and change in Al-Anon family groups: adult children of alcoholics.

Adult children of alcoholics exhibit low self-esteem, excessive feelings of responsibility, difficulties reaching out, depression and the increased likelihood of alcoholism. This study examines how adult children of alcoholics discuss their experiences in an Al-Anon group and describes their perceptions of change in self, personal problems, relationships, spirituality, childhood and the Al-Anon program. Twelve sessions of one Al-Anon chapter were observed, Al-Anon members were interviewed and a coding system to assess the content of the meetings was developed. Improvements constituted 25% of reports, of which improvement in problems constituted 20%. Members reported positive changes in self. Changes in relationships with alcoholics were few, as were changes in perceptions of the program (members felt positively about the program from the start). Although spirituality constituted less than 4% of the reports, many interviewees found spirituality the last and, ultimately, one of the most valued components of Al-Anon. A common experience of parental alcoholism, and cognitive, affective and behavioral antidotes to prior socialization in an alcoholic family contributed to the program's perceived helpfulness.