Alateen (Al-Anon for Teens): Support for Teens in Alcoholic Families

What is Alateen?

Alateen is a support group for teenagers and young people who are coping with a loved one’s current or past alcohol use issues. Alateen is part of the Al-Anon Family Group, self-defined as a “worldwide fellowship that offers a program of recovery for the families and friends of alcoholics, whether or not the alcoholic recognizes the existence of an alcohol-related problem or seeks help.” ^[1]

Al-Anon and Alateen are derived from the original group, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which began in 1935 for individuals with alcohol issues. From 1939, families and friends attended AA with their loved ones and soon began meeting on their own to form Al-Anon. In 1957, a small group of teenagers began meeting and registered the group as Alateen. ^[2]

Alateen utilizes the Twelve Steps and Traditions, much like AA, although with differences in the language that emphasize that the family member is not responsible for the behaviors and choices of the individual with the alcohol issue. The Twelve Steps and Traditions guide the behavior of the attendees within the group and their actions.^[3]

How does Alateen work?

Members of the group lead meetings and each member is encouraged to lead a meeting. Meetings follow a structure, such as: ^[4]

• Meeting opening: It is common for meetings to begin with a minute of silence, which is then followed by the group reciting the Serenity Prayer.

• Alateen welcome: The meeting leader welcomes the group, explaining the fundamental purpose and structure of the group and reminding attendees to maintain anonymity and confidentiality.

• Reading of Alateen’s Three Legacies: Someone reads out one or all of the Three Legacies, followed by one or all of the Twelve Steps and Traditions.

• Introductions: Members of the group introduce themselves and new attendees are welcomed.

• Announcements or reports: This might include information about events, business, or announcements about the organization.

• The meeting program: The group discusses a topic, which is usually introduced by one member.

• Alateen closing: The meeting leader closes the meeting by reminding the group of confidentiality and offering hope and warmth.

Benefits of Alateen

Benefits of attending Alateen include: ^[3][5]

• Sharing personal experiences with others
• Offering empathy and hope to one another
• Expressing emotional difficulties without judgment
• Learning new skills and strategies to manage
• Learning more about the Twelve Steps and Traditions and how to apply them
• Discussing the effects of the loved one’s alcohol use on the home environment
• Learning more about alcohol addiction

Alternatives and additional support for teens

Because of the potentially severe impact of alcohol addiction on young people, teens may benefit from additional support in managing the effects of a loved one’s alcohol use, such as therapy or counseling.

Alternative support groups for teens and young people include:

• Al-Anon: For family and friends of people with alcohol issues, this is designed for any age group, and teens are welcome.
• Nar-Anon: Also a Twelve Step program, it is designed for family and friends of people with drug use issues and those within any age group are welcome.
• SMART Recovery Family & Friends: A science-based support group for people affected by a loved one’s addiction
• Families Anonymous: A Twelve Step program for families affected by drug, alcohol, or other addiction
• Teen Line: As a helpline for teens and young people struggling with mental health issues or other difficulties, it is available by call (800-852-8336), email, or text (text TEEN to 839863).
• NAMI: Offers support groups for families affected by mental health conditions and a helpline for teens and young people, available by call (1-800-950-6264), text (text FRIEND to 62640), or email (helpline@nami.org).

How to find an Alateen meeting

Alateen hosts meetings in multiple locations across the US. People can use the meeting locator on the Al-Anon website to search for Alateen and Al-Anon meetings. If teens cannot find an Alateen meeting in their area, they are welcome to attend Al-Anon.

Also, people who cannot or do not want to attend in-person meetings can access online meetings via video call or phone call by searching on the website.