Idaho Al-Anon/Alateen

Alateen

Support for Teens Whose Lives Have Been Affected by Someone Else's Drinking

Alateen is a part of the 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 known as “AMIAS” who help the group 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 Traditions

Is Alateen right for you?

Here are a few questions that may help you answer that question

  • Do you think someone in your household or family drinks too much?
  • Do you witness fights that seem to be alcohol fueled? 
  • Do you keep your friends away from your house or family because of someone’s drinking?
  • Do you have a “Hidey Hole” in your house or closet where you go to feel safe when someone drinks too much?
  • Have the police been at your house because of someone’s behavior while drinking?
  • Do you worry about telling your friends about the alcohol abuse in your home because you are certain they would not understand?
  • WSO Alateen Quiz

Why I Serve Alateen - An excerpt from the Forum

I attended an Area Assembly where I heard about what it took to become a certified Al‑Anon Member Involved in Alateen Service (AMIAS). Before that, I had not understood that there was such a policy and that training was required. Hearing the word “required” sounded so strange to me since I had heard over and over that there are no “musts” in Al-Anon!

Despite all that, I knew AMIAS certification was a service opportunity for me.

Resourses for Alateens

For more information about Alateen, use any of the resources below:

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.

Working on Acceptance of My Son’s Disease - An excerpt from the Forum

Originally, I thought I came to Al‑Anon to get help for my son. My son, my baby. I used to call him my “police partner” because he went everywhere with me. But things changed. When he was 14, I put him in intensive therapy, which met almost every day. When he was 15, I sent him to Utah for a wilderness program. At 16, he went to his first in-patient rehab program. In the past eight years, he has been in and out of drug rehab, sober living, and intensive out-patient treatment. He’s been in the psychiatric wing of two hospitals, in countless emergency rooms, and in and out of jail. 

Alateen Sponsor Information

If you would like to know more about becoming an Alateen Sponsor, please contact any of the following from our Members Page:

Responding to My Son’s Relapse - An excerpt from the Forum

My son relapsed, and so did I. As I had done before Al‑Anon, I felt sorry for myself and wished my son were different. I thought obsessively about what I could say to him that would make things better or easier. I wanted to withdraw. I wanted to figure out, without anyone’s help, how to fix him.

These old behaviors didn’t last long, and for that, I am grateful. Thanks to Al‑Anon, I asked for help from my Higher Power, who answered me through the daily readings. My blessed Sponsor accepted my need to email my feelings and then follow up with a phone call rather than unload all of it on the phone. And I went to meetings, where the sharing and love from my Al‑Anon family were the light that helped me climb out of my darkness.

Alateen Sponsor Certification Information

Have You Heard the One About the Mom, the Minister, and the Alcoholic’s Wife? - An excerpt from the Forum

In a drunken rage, my husband pointed the gun at me this time. I was so distressed. What would happen to me next time? I was so scared! After he passed out, I packed my suitcase and left. I told my parents about what happened and asked if I could visit for the upcoming weekend. They said yes. My mom set up an appointment with her minister.

We met with him on Saturday afternoon. He listened attentively and patiently as I poured out stories about the most recent disaster and the last six years of drunken rages, pain, and disappointment. My mom was so sad that I had been living under these conditions.

Resources for Alateen Sponsors