For those who have relatives or friends struggling with alcohol, Al-Anon meetings held at a handful of locations on the South Fork offer support. Adults meet at the Montauk Community Church on Sundays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Lunch meetings take place on Mondays at 12:30 p.m. at the East Hampton Presbyterian Church session house. There are also meetings on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 4:30 at Christ Episcopal Church in Sag Harbor. The Wednesday session is geared specifically toward parents of alcoholics. Masks are required.
At the gatherings, “family and friends of problem drinkers share our experiences and learn how to apply the principles of the Al-Anon program to our individual situations,” according to the Al-Anon website. “We learn that we are not alone and that we have choices that lead to greater peace of mind, whether the drinker continues to drink or not.”
A list of virtual and telephone meetings can be found at al-anon.org