Alateen – a part of the Al-Anon Family Groups – is a fellowship of young people (mostly teenagers) whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking whether they are in your life drinking or not. By attending Alateen, teenagers meet other teens with similar situations. Alateen is not a religious program and there are no fees or dues to belong.
Alateen is a place where members come together to:
- Share experiences, strength and hope with each other to find effective ways to cope with problems
- Discuss difficulties and encourage one another
- Learn effective ways to cope with their problems
- Help each other understand the principles of the Al-Anon program thru the use of the Twelve Steps and Alateen’s Twelve Traditions
Alateen Groups
Each Alateen Group in the Northern Illinois Al-Anon Family Group (NIAFG) area is required to have two Alateen Group Sponsors. These are adult members of Al-Anon who have been through a certification process. They provide safety and guidance in the meeting and help the Alateens keep the meeting focused on the Al-Anon/Alateen program of recovery. An Alateen Group Sponsor doesn’t play the role of a teacher or assume a parental role. They honor Alateen members’ anonymity. For the safety of all involved, Alateen groups cannot meet without two certified Alateen Group Sponsors present. When Alateen Group Sponsors are not available, Alateens are welcome in Al-Anon meetings.
Meetings
To receive contact information for Alateen meetings in Northern Illinois please contact the Alateen Coordinator at alateen@niafg.org.
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). They also meet virtually in our area. For information on Al-Anon/Alateen meetings in Northern Illinois, click here.
There is Hope
No matter how difficult our situation, we can build a better life for ourselves by remembering to reach out for recovery. Just keep these points in mind:
- Alateen has helped many others. None of us is alone—many other teenagers have gone through the same problems that we have.
- Alcoholism affects the person who drinks and those who are close to the problem drinker.
- Learning the facts about alcoholism can make it easier to accept it as a disease.
- Another person’s addiction to alcohol is no reflection on us. Remember that we didn’t cause it, and cannot control or cure it.
- We are not responsible for the alcoholic’s behavior.
- It helps to talk things over with someone we trust.
- Being patient with ourselves and our families is important. Alcoholism has affected us and our families for a long time, and it may take a long time to recover.
- Try to improve, “One Day at a Time.”
- Attend Alateen, Al-Anon, and open A.A. meetings.
- Study the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. They are an important part of the Alateen program.
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 young people deal with their problems. WSO Alateen Literature Page
Here are some questions that teens frequently ask: Questions
For more information please contact:
Northern IL Alateen Coordinator at alateen@niafg.org
Northern IL Area Alateen Process Person (AAPP) at aapp@niafg.org