Talk to an Al-Anon member
Free helpline available in Scotland: 10am–10pm every day, including holidays.
Calls are answered by Al-Anon members who volunteer their time. You can talk in confidence about what is happening and ask questions about getting support. They can explain how to contact a local group. They cannot give medical advice.
Email: helpline@al-anonuk.org.uk
Al-Anon asks callers not to leave voicemail messages because it cannot return calls confidentially.
What does Al-Anon do?
Al-Anon brings together people whose lives have been affected by another person’s drinking. Members share their experiences and support one another through the problems alcoholism brings into their lives. The focus is on the person affected by the drinking.
Groups are for adults aged 18 and over. Alateen, part of Al-Anon, supports young people aged 12–17. Al-Anon describes its approach as spiritual and welcomes people with any religious belief or none.
The Twelve Steps
Al-Anon is a Twelve Step recovery programme. Its Steps were adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous and are central to how members work on the effects of someone else’s drinking in their own lives.
The programme begins with recognising that you cannot control another person’s drinking. It involves examining your own behaviour, accepting support, making amends where appropriate and putting these principles into daily practice. Members share what they learn from working the Steps.
The Steps use spiritual language, including references to God and a higher power. Al-Anon welcomes people of any faith or none. Support is available whether the person who drinks is still drinking, has stopped, has left or has died.
Find a meeting in Scotland
Enter your Scottish town or postcode in Al-Anon’s meeting finder to see nearby groups and their meeting times. Online meetings are also available. Check the listing for the meeting you want to attend, or call the helpline for a local contact number.
Find an Al-Anon meeting on the official website
There are no membership or meeting fees. Groups are supported by voluntary donations. Members use first names and are expected to respect one another’s privacy. Al-Anon’s confidentiality policy allows exceptions where there is a safeguarding concern.