Why do people not help other AA or Al-Al-Anon?

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Why is it that people that have gotten help from these types of support groups don't return to them first thing when things go bad?

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Perhaps because they KNOW they can't keep alcohol (or their previous drug of choice) under control, but feel that perhaps a different drug, would be OK. They would be able to handle it. It wouldn't cause their lives to become unmanageable.

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Perhaps because they KNOW they can't keep alcohol (or their previous drug of choice) under control, but feel that perhaps a different drug, would be OK. They would be able to handle it. It wouldn't cause their lives to become unmanageable.

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But aren't these programs teaching that an addict needs to avoid all and any substances?

My reason for asking is because I plan to get involved in alanon or something for loved ones of addicts. I was a spouse and I don't ever want to walk this path again. I realize there are no guarantees in life but I DO want to learn and change in my own recovery so that I can someday be part of a healthy relationship.

Am I putting too much hope and faith in a program such as Alanon?

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But aren't these programs teaching that an addict needs to avoid all and any substances?

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Doesn't matter what they teach when an addict let's self-will take over and drive.

Falling for one's own denial generator (thoughts) can easily make relapsing on a different drug seem like it's not a problem.

Perhaps for some it isn't.

Some people have to find out the hard way by going out again, on a different drug, to realize that for them, it doesn't matter what the drug is.

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Are you looking for a reason not to go and give Alanon a try?

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Nope just making sure it's what I think it is. I pretty much figured you get out of it what you put into it.