Alcoholism and drug addiction can be devastating not only to the abuser but also to family and close friends. Locally the support group Al-Anon was started to help ease the pain and educate those hurting. Later Alateen was formed to help teenagers who have an alcoholic loved one.

The main challenge the two groups face is getting their message of help to the people that need it. This is largely because Al-Anon is against advertising and large publicity in all its chapters.

About 50 people are members in Bermuda and there are six meetings every week that they can attend. Anonymity is a plank of the organisation stemming from the days when there was a serious social stigma attached to alcoholism.

While today it is widely acknowledged as a disease, this plank has remained strongly rooted and offers members a level of comfort in divulging their personal information.

The programme works in an informal setting but follows a set format. An Al-Anon member, who must remain anonymous explained: "A member volunteers to chair the meeting. We have an opening that this chairperson reads, then we discuss any announcements, the chairperson will present a topic, for example 'Serenity', the chairperson will then read a reading on 'Serenity' from one of our many books or pamphlets.

"Then the chairperson will discuss how they can relate to the topic. They ask the members and/or visitors, to share on how they relate to the topic."

Sponsors, a person who can provide guidance and support but not give direct advice, are a basic tenant of the organisation. Members are paired with a sponsor, which gives them a person to confide in.

A sponsor is someone with whom a member can discuss personal problems or questions – someone who willingly shares the experience, strength and hope of the Al-Anon /Alateen programme.

Locally Al-Anon has not applied for any public funding. There are no dues or fees for membership. Al-Anon Family Groups are self-supporting through voluntary contributions by members. Most groups pass a basket to cover group expenses like rental of a meeting room, Al-Anon literature, and refreshments.

The programme is one of the longest running emotional support groups in Bermuda. It was started in 1968 by the wife of a military person stationed at Kindley Base who was a member of Al-Anon before she came to Bermuda. When she came here she saw that there were no Al-Anon meetings so she started one in the Wesley Methodist Church basement on Church Street, Hamilton.

Today the programme has expanded so that on any given night there is usually a meeting somewhere on the Island. They are as follows:

Sunday and Monday 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

61 Verdmont Road., Collectors Hill, Smith's

Monday 8 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.

St. Peter's Church Hall,

York Street, St.George's

Tuesday 12 noon to 2 p.m.

Mechanics Building, Church St.,

Hamilton, Penthouse Floor, Room 3

Wednesday and Friday 5.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.

St. Paul's Christian Education Center,

Middle Road, Paget

Additionally Alateen meet every Wednesday from 5.30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Bermuda Youth Counselling Service, 125 Front Street, Fagan's Alley. For more information on Al-Anon Bermuda contact 236 8606 or visit them on the web at www.ncbermudaafg.org