Alateen is... A fellowship of young Al-Anon members, usually teenagers, whose lives have been affected by someone else's drinking.

Alateen's Purpose

• Share experience, 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

What We Learn in Alateen

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

Alateen Preamble

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.

Alateen Literature

Members are encouraged to read Al-Anon and Alateen Conference Approved Literature and materials. Written from members' personal sharings, these recovery tools can help us deal with our problems.

Link to sample Alateen newsletter, found at Al-Anon/Alateen World Service website: http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/pdf/alateentalk.pdf



Where to Find Us

Alateen members typically 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). However, the safety of our Alateen members is very important to us, so meeting places and times for Alateen meetings are not published on any public website.

Please contact the Grand Rapids Al-Anon/Alateen Family Groups Information Services confidential, 24-hour hotline (616-222-0632) to learn where you can find an Alateen meeting and connect with other young people whose family situation is very much like yours.