Media Release March 2024
Heading: Help for Families of Alcoholics at National Convention in Adelaide.
Al-Anon Family Groups will be presenting a program to support the families and friends of Alcoholics at the National Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous. Professionals, media, families and friends of alcoholics are invited to attend a public awareness open forum.
Event: 2024 Alcoholics Anonymous National Convention with Al-Anon and Alateen Participation -
Public Awareness meeting
Date: Saturday 30th March, 1.30-2.30pm
Venue: The Hilton Adelaide, 233 Victoria Square, Tanrtanyangga, Adelaide, SA
Website: www.aanatcon2024.com (link is external)
Entry: Free for professionals or family members wishing to observe the support Al-Anon Family Groups has to offer
Contact: gensec@al-anon.org.au for more information
In 2021–22, around 131,000 people aged 10 and over received treatment from alcohol and other drug treatment services. Alcohol abuse represented 42% of those episodes1. There were 1,742 alcohol-induced deaths in Australian in 20222.
Surrounding each of these deaths was a maelstrom of sadness and despair. Leading up to each of these deaths, it was likely that family members and friends experienced destructive and perhaps violent interactions where hatred, rage, depression and thoughts of suicide became the norm. FEAR was most likely always present.
Stress and negativity can lead to physical illness and an inability to function in society. All this comes at a huge cost to our social system. Having had expectations of happy domesticity, families often process the violence as a private family matter. This is a major element in what Barrett and McIntosh (1982) refer to as the “the anti-social family”,
The worldwide fellowship of Al-Anon Family Groups, including Alateen for our younger members, offers help, hope and recovery to those whose lives have been affected by someone else’s problem with alcohol.
The benefits of learning more about alcoholism and the effects it has on not only the drinker but their family, friends and colleagues, are many. Attending this open forum in Adelaide on 30th March at the Convention will provide some insight and understanding of this disease.
We welcome you, and those professionals who regularly encounter clients who have lived with or possibly still live with a problem drinker, to contact us for more information.
Make yourself known when you arrive so someone can assist you with directions and any questions you may have.
- https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/alcohol-other-drug-treatment-services/alcohol-other-drug-treatment-services-australia/contents/about
- https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/alcohol/alcohol-tobacco-other-drugs-australia/contents/drug-types/alcohol
Al-Anon Family Groups (Australia) Pty Ltd
GPO Box 1002 Melbourne 3001
Telephone 96202166 Help line 1300252666
E-mail: office@al-anon.org.au Website: www.al-anon.org.au
Contact details:
Helen Gillies
gensec@al-anon.org.au
