Finding Help in Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco Counties: What are Al-Anon and Nar-Anon Meetings?

A lot of people have reached out and told me that they really aren’t sure what Al-Anon and Nar-Anon are. Maybe you had a friend, or coworker suggest that you look up Al-Anon in Pinellas, or Al-Anon in Hillsborough County. Maybe they mentioned how great the support there is or how Tampa has so many Al-Anon meetings to choose from. But you don’t really know what it is, or if it’s right for you.

You do know that drugs and alcohol are a huge problem in the Tampa Bay Area. Actually they are a huge problem all over Florida, and all over the United States. So many people in fact are dealing with their loved ones drinking or drug use, and so many families are struggling. You are not alone, even though sometimes it might feel like you are.

Florida is a beautiful state, especially Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco counties but there is this disease of drug and alcohol problems that is killing the people we love here. Having a loved one with a drug or alcohol problem is really difficult to admit, much less talk about. With other diseases like with cancer, or diabetes, families have a whole lot more support, people talk about and help each other. They have walks, and wear bright colors to show support. There isn’t the shame that comes with addiction issues. Drug and alcohol problems are a whole other animal, living in the shadows of our society.

You probably have heard about and know that Alcoholics Anonymous, AA, is for people who have a drinking problem, and Narcotics Anonymous, NA, is for people addicted to drugs. There are so many AA and NA meetings in Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco Counties that your loved one could go to a meeting multiple times a day. But what about you? What about the family members? Where is your help and your support?

That’s where Al-Anon and Nar-Anon come in, these are twelve step support groups in the community for people who have a loved one with a drinking or drug problem. Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco counties have thriving Al-Anon meetings. There are a lot of Nar-Anon meetings as well but Al-Anon meetings seem to be more plentiful. These meetings might be at a local church or meeting hall, in rooms rented just for the meeting, and not affiliated with the specific church. They could be anywhere in the community, you might pass by one every day and not even know because it is not openly advertised and it is supposed to be anonymous. The meetings are free to attend, but they most likely will pass a basket asking for a small donation to help pay for the rent, coffee, and literature materials.

Each of the individual Al-Anon/Nar-Anon Meetings are connected to a larger area of districts/areas. For example Al-Anon in Hillsborough County is District 8, Al-Anon in Pinellas County is District 7, but the Al-Anon Meetings of Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco Counties are combined into District 5. Each of the Districts will have events and meetings specific to their area, which will only be advertised privately. Much like AA and NA, Al-Anon and Nar-Anon meetings from multiple districts might come together for conferences, or other events. Many of the events might include or be co-located with AA or NA events as well, but not always. As with all the meetings and events anonymity is very important.

Finding the support you need when you have a loved one with a drug or alcohol problem can be really difficult. One way to get help is through Al-Anon or Nar-Anon meetings in Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco counties. But sometimes the meetings aren’t enough. Sometimes having one on one support and more personalized attention can help. So if you have any questions please reach out. Quiet Water Counseling not only offers support to clients in the Tampa Bay area, but to clients all over Florida.