Dear Doctor,
Since 1956 the American Medical Association has recognized alcoholism as a primary, progressive disease. We at Al-Anon/Alateen know that it is also a family disease which can affect some or all members of a household both physically and emotionally. It has been our experience that the relatives and friends of alcoholics often seek medical help for a variety of stress-related symptoms.
Al-Anon is a mutual support fellowship that offers a program of recovery to the relatives and friends of alcoholics. Alateen, a part of Al-Anon, is for a teenager who is equally affected by an alcoholic.
If you suspect someone’s drinking problem has contributed to the cause of your patient’s symptoms, we urge you to recommend Al-Anon and/or Alateen as part of their treatment. The enclosed literature describes the benefits and renewed hope and confidence that the Al-Anon/Alateen mutual-support program has brought to thousands whose lives have been adversely affected by another’s alcoholism. If you wish more information, please call 713-683-7227 or 888-4AL-ANON (888-425-2666), Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 6 PM, ET.
Sincerely yours,
Compiled and Distributed by:
Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.
1600 Corporate Landing Parkway, Virginia Beach, VA 23454-5617
Phone: (757) 563-1600 Fax: (757) 563-1655
http://www.al-anon.alateen.org (external Al-Anon link)
E-mail: wso@al-anon.org (external Al-Anon link)
OD-2 This letter may be photocopied 2/04