What is Alateen?

Alateen, part of the Al-Anon Family Groups, is a fellowship of young people whose lives have been affected by alcoholism in a family member or close friend. We help each other by sharing our experience, strength and hope.

We believe alcoholism is a family disease, because it affects all the members emotionally and sometimes physically. Although we cannot change or control our parents, we can detach from their problems while continuing to love them.

We do not discuss religion or become involved with any outside organizations. Our sole topic is the solution of our problems. We are always careful to protect each other's anonymity as well as that of all Al-Anon and AA members.

By applying the Twelve Steps to ourselves, we begin to grow mentally, emotionally and spiritually. We will always be grateful to Alateen for giving us a wonderful, healthy program to live by and enjoy.*

The following is a simple questionaire to assist you in determining whether this fellowship is for you. Alateen 20 Questions

Alateen Reprints from The Forum

Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. Virginia Beach, VA.

Working the Program

I try to work my program a day at a time but when my dad was out drinking I took it a lot faster. Sometimes, when I have time, I read my ADAT and I get a lot out of it. In the mornings I ask God to help me make it through the day and at the end of the night I thank Him.

My favorite Alateen slogan is Let Go and Let God. I read something in the Alateen Do's and Don'ts about this slogan. It said "You can't fix everything that's wrong with the world or with your family and friends. Let it go! God can't do His wor k if we're standing in the way." That means so much to me. It's saying to me move out of the way and let God do His work because when I'm standing in the way God can't do what He needs to do. - Anon, Georgia

Alateen Sponsor?

Approximately seven years ago I began sponsoring an Alateen group in a junior high school. These seven years have been very rewarding and have helped me grow in my Al-Anon program.

Working with these Alateen members has been a real joy for me. They say for every alcoholic there are at least five people affected by them. Can you imagine that? What a tremendous need for Alateen sponsors!

Last week my group had 51 kids. It just grows and grows. If you could help sponsor a group, it would be truly appreciated. Believe me, you would probably end up helping yourself more than the kids. - Bill W. Ohio

An Attitude Problem

I would like to express my feelings on my favorite slogan - Easy Does It. This slogan helps me to control my temper. All my life people have told me I have a very bad temper but I was always in denial about that.

When I heard the slogan Easy Does It in an Alateen meeting, I realized I had never stopped to think about whether or not what made me mad was right or if there was anything I could do to change it. I was always jumping on somebody's case when they said something that angered me, fact or fiction. Now I slow down, take it easy and think before I speak.

In the past I got in a lot of trouble with my teachers for jumping on their cases. Now I think first. I admit I still have a little attitude problem but Alateen and my two Alateen sponsors are helping me. - Danny S., Texas

In Gratitude

As a young child my mother, who is not the alcoholic in my life, had an affair. When my father found out he tried to kill himself. As the ambulance pulled up and put him into the back, my brother and I stood by and watched. The whole time my mother never tried to shield our eyes from the sight. While my father was in the hospital recovering, my mother told my brother and me he did not want to see us and he did not love us.

Finally my father returned home. Things were okay for a while. Then mom decided to leave with the other man. She also decided to take my brother and me along. She did this while my dad was passed out. It took my father several months to find us. We returned with him and he did get full custody of us. For seven years we did not hear from our mother.

Suddenly she decided to come back and my father allowed it. I fought, kicked, screamed and hated her for a long time. She was with us a little over five years before deciding to leave again. She left with another man who she later married.

My father found sobriety and told me there was a program for me, Al-Anon. When I walked into the meeting, the people were much older than me but they had something I wanted. Eventually I was able to forgive my mom. The program also gave me the courage not to forget. Today I am so thankful for those older people. They watched me scream, hate and eventually love. They loved my until I could love myself and them in return. Today I have a great relationship with my parents, both my mother and father. Thank you Al-Anon. - Dee S., Texas

Anyone wishing more information is welcome to call:

Edmonton Al-Anon Information Service
P.O. Box 1375
Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 2N2
(780) 433-1818 (24 hours)

Last updated April 30, 2006