Alateen
Alateen is a fellowship of young Al-Anon members, usually teenagers, whose lives have been affected by someone else's drinking. 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 12 Steps and Alateen's 12 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
Alateen Members Are Helped When They:
- Attend meetings on a regular basis
- Make telephone contact with other members
- Read Al-Anon/Alateen literature
- Have a sponsor
- Apply the Twelve Steps of recovery to their lives
- Become involved in Al-Anon service work
Sponsorship
Every Alateen group needs an active, adult member of Al-Anon to serve as sponsor. The sponsor is an active part of the group, guiding and sharing knowledge of our 12 Steps and Alateen Traditions.
Meetings
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.) For information about Al-Anon/Alateen meetings in your area, please see our Meetings page.
This page last updated on July 2, 2006.