“Then one member stayed away from meetings, and then another, and another. When somebody called them to find out why, they said they were disappointed in Al-Anon because of the way personal, confidential matters had been gossiped about, causing difficulties in the families.” (ODAT, 6 March)
The alcoholic finds a trivial reason to get drunk. However plausible, it pales into insignificance in the light of the consequences of drinking.
It’s the same with staying away from meetings. The negative effects always outweigh the often dubious benefit.
I am now wary of giving reasons for things. The reason is often a justification, a rationalisation, a pretext, an excuse, an alibi.
What is right usually doesn’t need to be questioned, and the questioner of the right need not be answered.