Even though I had been in Al‑Anon for a few years, I still could not control my anger. After a while, I realized I was angry whenever the alcoholic was drunk—which was much of the time.

Until I came into the Al‑Anon program about six years ago, I was ashamed of my alcoholic family—my father, brothers, uncles, and aunts. I blamed them for their behavior. I’ll never forget when I brought a guy I liked to my house and he said, “Are you sure you weren’t adopted?” He was serious. We never went out again.