Detachment

Alcoholism is a family disease. Living with the effects of someone's
drinking is too devastating for most people to bear without help. 

In Al-Anon, we learn that individuals are not responsible for another person's
disease or recovery from it. 

We let go of our obsession with another person's behavior and begin to lead
happier and more manageable lives, lives with dignity and rights; lives
guided by a Power greater than ourselves. 

IN AL-ANON WE LEARN THE FOLLOWING:
• Not to suffer because of the actions or reactions of other people.
• Not to allow ourselves to be used or abused by others in the interest of
another's recovery.
• Not to do for others what they ought to, and could do for themselves.
• Not to manipulate situations so others will eat, go to bed, get up, pay
bills, not drink.
• Not to cover up for anyone's mistakes or misdeeds.
• Not to create a crisis.
• Not to prevent a crisis if it is in the natural course of events. 

Detachment is neither kind no t unkind. It does not imply judgment or
condemnation of the person or situation from which we are detaching. It is
simply a means that allows us to separate ourselves from the adverse effects
that another person's alcoholism can have upon our lives.
Detachment helps families look at their situations realistically and
objectively, thereby making intelligent decisions possible.