Alateen is a fellowship of young Al-Anon members, usually teenagers (age 19 and below), whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. Al-Anon has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps, by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics, and by giving understanding and encouragement to the alcoholic.

Young people come together to:

• share experience, strength and hope with each other
• discuss their difficulties
• learn effective ways to cope with their problems
• encourage one another help each other understand the principles of the Al-Anon program
• learn how to use the Twelve Steps and Alateen‘s Twelve Traditions

Alateen members learn:

• compulsive drinking is a disease
• they can detach themselves emotionally from the drinker’s problems while continuing to love the person
• they are not the cause of anyone else’s drinking or behavior
• they cannot change or control anyone but themselves
• they have spiritual and intellectual resources with which to develop their own potentials, no matter what happens at home
• they can build satisfying and rewarding life experiences for themselves

Every Alateen group needs an active, adult member of Al-Anon to serve as sponsor. The sponsor is an active party of the group, guiding and sharing knowledge of our Twelve Steps and Traditions. Members of Alateen can also choose to have a personal sponsor, who can be another member of Alateen or Al-Anon.

Alateen members meet in church halls, school rooms or other suitable places (many times in the same building as an Al-Anon group but in a separate room). All Alateen meetings are considered ‘closed‘. That means that only people who have been affected by the compulsive drinking of another are welcome. Outsiders with an interest are welcome to sit in on an ‘open‘ Al-Anon meeting to learn more.

Event Type	Advocacy Recovery Support Family Support Community Conversation Social Groups Educational Workshop
Age Groups	Adolescents Adults Seniors
Community Services	Community Community Education Drop In / Community Center Volunteer Opportunities Family & Support Services Case Management Family Support Youth Groups
Health Services	Behavioral / Mental Health Behavioral Mental Health Substance Use Teen Issues Medical Health / Wellness / Nutrition Medical / Health Needs
Treatment Services	Outpatient Services Counseling / Therapy, Group

Last Updated: 08/16/22