Dear Doctor:

Since 1956 the American Medical Association has recognized alcoholism as a primary, progressive disease. Al-Anon/Alateen knows that it is also a family disease, which can affect some or all members of a household both physically and emotionally. It has been the experience that the relatives and friends of alcoholics often seek medical help for a variety of stress-related symptoms.

Al-Anon is a mutual support fellowship that offers a program of recovery to the relatives and friends of alcoholics. Alateen, a part of Al-Anon, is for a teenager who is equally affected by an alcoholic.

Al-Anon provides meetings for Institutions, Al-Anon/Alateen speakers for seminars or workshops, information booths for health fairs, or materials for professionals who might have patients or clients who have been affected by the family disease of alcoholism.

Your professional awareness and understanding of the Al-Anon program puts you in a unique position to help the medical society understand that Al-Anon can give hope and help to thousands who have been adversely affected by another's alcoholism. If you wish more information, please e-mail Al-Anon at alanon@alanon-wi.org or contact the office at 414-257-2415. Al-Anon will be happy to provide you with our Professional Information Packets free of charge.

Reprinted with Permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc, Virginia Beach, VA