Their meeting are just like Alanon I've been to both. There is a Naranon forum on line, They do not tell you what to do only help you to work on yourself. The also have online meetings. You can google Naranon for online forum if interested.

Hi there...

So you thought the steps were weird? I just have to warn you that there are many people on this site who owe their lives to those or very similar ones! Does you wife attend meetings? Are you aware of the 12 Steps she would be following?

The goal of this group is to support you in dealing with the addiction in your life. To help you understand that you are not alone in what you are feeling, and, if you want, to guide you through the thoughts that will help you to make some decisions about a really hard situation. You may or may not see your role in your wife's behavior, you may or may not be willing to accept it, you may or may not want to make some changes. That's what support from other people is about.

What actually happens at a meeting...is that what you are wondering? People share what is going on in their lives.

They will not tie you up, and most meetings no longer allow biting of newcomers! It is just people sharing experiences and trying to help each other. Give it a chance...don't go in thinking it is weird.

Good luck...and let us know what you think.

I went to them and sometimes attend them when I think things are getting heavy with me.
They are pretty much depending on the people you have in the group as with many things.
Your more one on one expressing yourself if you feel like it,being quiet if you feel like it. Like Katrina mentiond, it is to help yourself.
I don't think they are weird, it is good to know were not alone in this and we can talk openly about it and gain strength! If you don't like the group, try another one in another city or area.
I never did the ones on line.

12 step programs aren't for everyone. We are all individuals we all think, act differently. Not everyone whats to go to meeting for the rest of their lives. I know people who do, they look forward to it. I didn't. As it says take what you want and leave the rest.
I agree, didn't much care for the step work and didn't agree with it. This site is not a 12 step site so if that is what you are searching for they do have a Naranon forum. In my group no one shares what is going on, it isn't even asked unless a indivdual after the meeting asked how are things going. So you won't be spilling all the crap that happen to you this past week. In some ways that good it forces you to look at yourself not the addict. In others ways some people like sounding boards they like to talk everything out. Fro them it helps them get their thoughts processed, Others keep stuff to themsleves and process things that way. We used Alanon approved literature and didn't stray from it. It all was too spirtual for me. Love the ladies but I was always the one thinking out of the box with another way to look at things.
I do think it helped me go if only to see I wasn't alone. We never had a biting of newcomers. Instead we all told our story and then they were allowed to tell their if they wanted. Some did some didn't. I do know that as time went on it was always the same bunch of ladies with the occasional newcomer who seldom came back.

Hey Katrina...I was just kidding on the biting. People just seem to have all kinds of ideas of what might happen.

I did'nt get anything out of alanon never tried naranon but if it's the same I think I'll pass.
I think I get more out of this forum than anything and I dont have to go anywhere.
JMO
Joe

Joe I agree with you. I like the tell it as it is on this forum.
Nikki oh I was wondering what you mean't.

Thanks everyone went to my first meeting tonight and maybe got the wrong message from everything. Including the 12 steps everyone seemed to blame themselves. Like the whole problem was from themselves being enablers. There was no real help in how not to enable or how to deal with the fact the other person wont change; no coping skills other than self blame.

I am going to try another group on tuesday and see how the general tone is there. I think some of you are right this may be the best place to find support and advice.

Well, just a thought, you have to accept your role before you can change your behavior. You are not there to talk about how to help the addict, but to learn about how you interact with the addict, and then how to change your actions. That is the best way that you can affect the addcit. Coping skills to deal with an addict are not really the point. As you learn about addiction you will learn about how and why or why not addicts do and do not remain active. This is about you. You are who you need to focus on.

I am so glad that you went, and I hope that you will continue. Keep an open mind.