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ALATEEN

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

Is someone's drinking bothering you?
Alateen is for you. Alateen is for young people whose lives have been affected by someone else's drinking. These 20 questions are to help you decide whether Alateen is for you.

PURPOSES OF ALATEEN

 Young People Come Together To:

•share experience, strength and hope with each other.

•discuss their difficulties.

•learn effective ways to cope with their 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.


SPONSORSHIP

Every Alateen group needs an active, adult member of Al-Anon to serve as sponsor. The sponsor is an active part of the group, guiding and sharing knowledge of our Twelve Steps and Alateen Traditions.


MEETINGS

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.) For information on Al-Anon/Alateen meetings in your area, click here.
Has Your Life Been Affected By Someone Else's Drinking?

Alateen is for you!
Alateen is for young people whose lives have been affected by someone else's drinking. Sometimes, the active drinking has stopped, or the active drinker may not live with us anymore. Even though the alcohol may be gone, and the alcoholic gone or recovering in AA, we are still affected. Many of us have received help from Alateen or Al-Anon. The following twenty questions are to help you decide whether or not Alateen is for you.

1. Do you believe no one could possibly understand how you feel?

2. Do you cover up your real feelings by pretending you don't care?

3. Do you feel nobody really loves you or cares what happens to you?

4. Do you tell lies to cover up for some one else's drinking or what's happening in your home?

5. Do you stay out of the house as much as possible because you hate it there?

6. Are you afraid or embarrassed to bring your friends home?

7. Has someone's drinking upset you?

8. Are holidays and gatherings spoiled because of drinking or others' reactions to the drinking?

9. Are you afraid to speak up sometimes for fear it will set off a drinking bout or start another fight?

10. Do you think the drinker's behavior is caused by you, other members of your family, friends, or rotten breaks in life?

11. Do you make threats such as, "If you don't stop drinking and fighting, I'll run away"?

12. Do you make promises about behavior, such as, "I'll get better grades," "go to church," or "keep my room clean" in exchange for a promise that the drinking and fighting stop?

13. Do you feel that if your mom or dad loved you, she or he would stop drinking?

14. Do you ever threaten or actually hurt yourself to scare your parents into saying "I'm sorry," or "I love you"?

15. Do you or your family have money problems because of someone else's drinking?

16. Are mealtimes frequently stressful or delayed because of drinking or fighting?

17. Have you considered calling the police because of the abusive behavior in your home?

18. Have you refused dates because your date may find out about the drinking or fighting?

19. Do you think your problems would be solved if the drinking stopped?

20. Do you ever treat people (teachers, schoolmates, teammates, etc.) unjustly because you are angry at someone else for drinking too much?

If you answered yes to some of these questions, Alateen may be able to help you.

Is Alateen Sponsorship For You?

Alateen, a part of Al-Anon, is for young people whose lives have been affected by someone else's drinking. Every Alateen group needs an active, adult member of Al-Anon to serve as the Sponsor. The following questions may help you decide if you can say "yes" to Alateen sponsorship.
1. Are you looking for service work that is rewarding, loving and exciting?

2. Have you ever thought about helping Alateen?

3. Are you aware that sponsoring Alateen is a Twelfth-Step opportunity for you?

4. Is there an Alateen meeting in your town?

5. Have you thought of the teens who want help and can't get it because Alateen isn't available?

6. Can you make a commitment to be at an Alateen meeting every week for the next six months of a year?

7. Are you willing to meet with Alateen members to share with them, laugh with them, and sometimes cry?

8. Can you allow Alateens to conduct their own meeting without controlling or directing?

9. Can you listen with an open mind, giving Alateen members the freedom to express themselves?

10. Can you respect the anonymity of Alateen members by not discussing their comments with their parents or others?

11. Can you say no to inappropriate behavior and explain your reasoning while continuing to love them.

12.Can you suggest program tools (slogans, Steps, Traditions, books, pamphlets) and not give advice?

13. Do you know the difference between guidance and domination? Are you willing to learn?

14. Have you thought, if only you knew how to go about it, you would sponsor Alateen?

If you are an active Al-Anon member and willing to share your program, Alateen Sponsorship may be for you. If you are interested, make contact with your group representative, an Alateen Sponsor, an Alateen Coordinator, District Representative or the Office.