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Not Everyone Trapped by Alcohol is an Alcoholic

Al-Anon Family Groups Australia Pty Ltd

Key Facts:

Alcohol accounted for almost 3 in 5 alcohol and other drug-related hospitalisations (58% or 84,318 hospitalisations) in 2023–24.

Invitation to a free information session 2nd May 2026 JW Marriott Resort Gold Coast.

Al-Anon Family Groups will be presenting a program to support the families and friends of alcoholics at the National Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous.  Professionals, media, families and friends of alcoholics are invited to attend a public awareness open forum. 

Event: 2026 Alcoholics Anonymous National Convention with Al-Anon and Alateen Participation -

Public Awareness meeting

Date: Saturday 2^nd May at 2.00-3.30pm

Venue: JW Marriott Resort Gold Coast

Website: aanatcon2026.com.au (link is external)

Entry: Free for professionals or family members wishing to observe the support Al-Anon Family Groups has to offer

Contact: [email protected] for more information

 

Alcohol has continued to account for a higher rate of hospitalisations than any other drug type over the past decade. Alcohol accounted for almost 3 in 5 alcohol and other drug-related hospitalisations (58% or 84,318 hospitalisations) in 2023–24. ¹

 

The NDSHS found around 1 in 3 people (31% or 6.6 million people) aged 14 and over consumed alcohol at risky levels (per the adult risk guidelines) in 2022–2023. ¹

 

Surrounding each of these cases it was likely that family members and friends experienced destructive and perhaps violent interactions where hatred, rage, depression and thoughts of suicide became the norm. FEAR was most likely always present.

 

The worldwide fellowship of Al-Anon Family Groups, including Alateen for our younger members, offers help, hope and recovery to those whose lives have been affected by someone else’s problem with alcohol.

 

The benefits of learning more about alcoholism and the effects it has on not only the drinker but their family, friends and colleagues, are many. Attending this open forum on the Gold Coast on 2^nd May 2026 at the Convention will provide some insight and understanding of this disease.

 

We welcome you, and those professionals who regularly encounter clients who have lived with or possibly still live with a problem drinker, to contact us for more information.

 

Make yourself known when you arrive so someone can assist you with directions and any questions you may have.

 

1. Alcohol Overview - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

 

About us:

Al-Anon Family Groups is a self-help fellowship based on peer support that offers a program of recovery to the family and friends of problem drinkers. Alateen, a part of Al-Anon, is for the teenager who is equally affected by the problem drinker.  

This life-changing, world-wide program has been operating for more than 75 years in Australia. We have over 350 face to face and online peer support meetings helping families and friends of someone with a drinking problem.

Contact details:

[email protected]

Helen Gillies  0414337682