Al-Anon is an international “fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength, and hope in order to solve their common problems.” The group’s purpose is to “help families of alcoholics by practicing the Twelve Steps, by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics, and by giving understanding and encouragement to the alcoholic. Al-Anon was formed in 1951 by Anne B. and Lois W., wife of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) co-founder Bill W. They recognized the need for such an organization, as family members living with AA members began to identify their own pathologies associated with their family members’ alcoholism.

Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA) is a fellowship of men and women whose common purpose is to develop healthy relationships.[CoDA is modeled on Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) using the same twelve steps as AA with the substitution on one word in the first step, “We admitted we were powerless over others” (not alcohol) “– that our lives had become unmanageable.” It was founded in 1986 by Ken and Mary, long term members of AA in Phoenix, Arizona, who felt a need for an AA-type fellowship to cope with their codependent behaviors.

Here is the schedule for CODA & AL-ANON here in Metro Manila and Angeles. You may coordinate with any one of the contact persons if you need assistance locating the meeting venue.