Al-Anon and Alateen are self-help recovery programs for people who believe their lives may have been affected by someone else's drinking. We come together to find help and support in dealing with the effects of alcoholism on our lives. The single purpose of these programs is to help families and friends of alcoholics, whether the alcoholic is drinking or not.

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Resources for Professionals

Fact Sheet For Professionals -- Information About Al-Anon

The Family Disease

For family members, alcoholism causes a progressive inability to predict their own behavior because of the growing preoccupation with and reaction to another person's drinking. Generally speaking, if a person is wondering whether alcoholism is the problem, it probably is. Family members need to hear that the emotions they feel are a normal reaction to alcoholism. Frequently, they experience a free-floating but pervasive fear. They are afraid of the alcoholic's reactions and are prepared to settle for "peace at any price." They worry about bills, accidents and job losses (the alcoholic's and, in some cases, their own). As they attempt to deal with the erratic, irrational behavior of the drinker, they become confused and increasingly guilty and preoccupied. As their lives become compulsively centered on trying to get the alcoholic to stop drinking through unsuccessful attempts to manipulate and control, most of their actions only enable the alcoholic to continue the drinking. Family members are caught in a cycle of repetitive non-helpful behavior that leaves them frustrated, angry and alone. They feel helpless and hopeless.

Betty Reddy, CEAP
Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism

Al-Anon Family Groups, which includes Alateen, has been in existence for over 40 years as a community resource providing support to those affected by someone else's drinking. Today, there are over 30,000 Al-Anon and Alateen groups meeting in 112 countries.

Al-Anon:

  • Has only one requirement for membership -- each member has been affected by someone else's drinking.
  • Is an anonymous fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who meet to share their experience, strength and hope in order to solve their common problems; adult children of alcoholics, parents, partners, spouses, co-workers, etc., can all find help in Al-Anon.
  • Is a separate fellowship from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Al-Anon is based on the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions adapted from AA.
  • Is non-professional, self-supporting, nondenominational, multiracial, apolitical, and is available almost everywhere.

    • Alateen:

  • Is part of the Al-Anon Fellowship designed for the younger relatives and friends of alcoholics through age nineteen.
  • Members conduct their own meetings with the guidance of an Al-Anon sponsor.
  • Follows the same Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions and principles as Al-Anon.

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