What is Alateen?
Alateen is part of Al‑Anon Family Groups. Alateen is a fellowship of young Al-Anon members, usually teenagers, whose lives have been affected by someone else's drinking. Alateen groups are sponsored by Al-Anon members who help the group to stay on track. Alateens come together to:
- Share experiences, strength, and hope with each other
- Discuss difficulties
- Learn effective ways to cope with 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 Tradions
What Happens In An Alateen Meeting?
In Alateen meetings, young people share their own experiences—everyone in the meeting has been affected by someone else’s drinking. Some currently live with a problem drinker, others do not. Alateens share their feelings, encourage each other, and share how the Alateen program has helped them. The adults in the meetings are the Alateen Group Sponsors, who help the teens to stay focused on the Alateen program.
Alateens share that they have come to understand that alcoholism is a disease. They have also learned that:
- They are not the cause of anyone else's drinking or behavior.
- They cannot change or control anyone but themselves.
- They can detach themselves emotionally from the drinker's problems while continuing to love the person.
- They can build satisfying and rewarding life experiences for themselves, whether the alcoholic still drinks or not.
When there is drinking in the family, everyone is affected. It’s very difficult when one (or both) of your parents has a drinking problem. It affects how you are treated and it shapes your world. Alateen meetings are where you can find support and understanding from people your own age who are going through similar difficulties. If there’s no Alateen meeting in your community, you’re always welcome to attend an Al-Anon meeting. If you need help talking to your parents about your desire to try Alateen, here is a link to a YouTube video called
"Effects of a parent’s drinking on their children - Al-Anon interview with Jerry Moe".