About Al – Anon – Fort Smith
Al-Anon is a nonprofit substance abuse support group program in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Al-Anon provides support for clients who are friends or family members of alcoholics, rather than support for alcoholics themselves. They serve teen and adult clients.
Al-Anon follows the 12-Step model used by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and similar groups. Al-Anon provides emotional support for those who are close to individuals with substance use disorders, to lessen the trauma they experience.
Al-Anon uses a variation of the 12-Step model used by AA. It is changed to reflect their focus on supporting friends and families of alcoholics rather than alcoholics themselves. Notably, Al-Anon isn’t an intervention program, and those living with substance abuse are encouraged to attend an AA or NA meeting instead.
While part of AA’s 12 Steps addresses the pain caused to others by a person’s addiction, it doesn’t directly relieve the trauma these people often experience in living with or trying to help someone who is addicted. Al-Anon allows clients to come together and share their lived experiences as a way to help one another cope with common stressors and take care of their mental health.
Al-Anon doesn’t require insurance to attend. However, clients should always consult with their insurance provider if considering other treatment programs, as in network and out of network benefits may vary.