For the Media/Press Release

Al-Anon Family=20 Groups Backgrounder

In the U.S. and Canada, there are more than 18 million = people with a=20 drinking problem, and only 10 percent of them will ever get = help. But=20 according to some estimates, every individual with a drinking = problem=20 disrupts the lives of at least four other people through = business and=20 financial responsibilities neglected or the child who loses a = parent due=20 to a drunken driving accident, careers ruined and marriages = destroyed by=20 problem drinking. Of the estimated 80 million Americans and = Canadians=20 affected by someone else's drinking, most will not get help for=20 themselves and many will never even realize that they could have = benefited from some insight into the problems caused by another = person's=20 drinking.=20
Al-Anon Family Groups was the first of many mutual support = groups to=20 adapt AA's Twelve Step Program. It is well-known, but still not = widely=20 understood. Al-Anon focuses only on providing confidential help = to=20 people in need. There are no celebrity spokespeople; the = confidentiality=20 and anonymity of members is strictly protected.=20
Al-Anon Family Groups (which includes Alateen for younger = family=20 members) is a pioneer in the concept of "family recovery" from=20 alcoholism, which holds that one person's drinking problem = adversely=20 affects the lives of close friends and family, and that friends = and=20 family who are able to recover from these adverse affects are = able to=20 improve their lives, as well as the problem drinker's chances = for=20 recovery.=20
There are 26,000 autonomous Al-Anon/Alateen groups in 131 = countries,=20 with groups now starting in Cuba, Iran and Romania.=20
Al-Anon Family Groups is supported by members' contributions = and=20 sale of its literature. The group declines contributions from=20 non-members, and accepts no outside funding from government,=20 foundations, or other agencies.=20
Al-Anon has helped millions of people over 55 years, and = sold about=20 13 million books, including the inspirational daily readers = One Day=20 at a Time in Al-Anon and Courage to Change. There = are more=20 than 100 Al-Anon/Alateen books and pamphlets. A range of = materials are=20 available in more than 30 languages.

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