Alcoholism's devastating impact on families' lives

TODAY is the start of Alcohol Awareness Week and a support group will highlight the impacts alcohol has on people.

Unlike Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Al-Anon was founded to support people who were affected by someone else’s drinking.

A group meets in Chichester every Friday at 8pm in the Old Glassworks, St Cyriacs.

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Anonymity is guaranteed for all who attend and only first names are used.

Graham is one such member. His wife passed away two years ago after battling with alcoholism.

“Al-Anon just helped me cope,” he said.

“It’s been a real boon to me.”

As well as Chichester, there is another group that meets in Bognor Regis on Mondays at 8pm at 22 Sudley Road.

Graham described alcoholism as a ‘disease’ and said there was a lot to help people afflicted by it.

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However, he said less was made of the people who were affected by someone they knew turning to alcohol, which is where Al-Anon came in.

“It’s a group for those affected by someone else’s drinking,” he said.

The national charity’s website is www.al-anonuk.org.uk.

There is also a helpline available from 10am-10pm every day on 02074 030888.

He said anyone wanting to attend the Bognor or Chichester groups was very welcome.