...Alateen also gave me the tools I needed to forgive my dad and remake my relationship with him...

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 went to rehab or recovering in AA, we are still affected. Many of us have received help from Alateen or Al-Anon. 

The following 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 neglected, uncared for, or unloved?

4. Do you tell lies to cover up for someone 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?

If you have answered “Yes” to any of these questions, Alateen may help you.

Our meetings are run on the principles of Anonymity and Confidentiality. 

There are no dues or fees to attend a meeting.  

Young People Come Together To:

• share their 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/Alateen program

Alateen Members Learn:

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

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

In order to be registered as an Alateen group, there must be at least one Alateen Group Sponsor at each meeting (some areas recommend two Sponsors) who meets their area's Alateen requirements and is currently certified (through background checks and training) to be of service to Alateen through their own area Alateen process. Except for an annual or bi-annual open meeting, all Alateen meetings are closed meetings; only Alateens and their Group Sponsors attend the meeting, however designated area trusted servants may occasionally attend the meetings as a resource to the group per the area's Alateen requirements and process.

Sponsors are an active part of the group, guiding and sharing knowledge on our Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.

All Alateen Group Sponsors, even temporary or instant Sponsors, need to be certified through the area Al-Anon member involved in Alateen service certification process prior to serving. Certification requirements vary by each state.

You may also call Houston Intergroup  (713-683-7227), which we try to answer 24/7, or send us an email at alanon@houstonalanon.org.

In-Person Alateen Meetings

Electronic Alateen Meetings (Requires download of App)

Excerpts from Alateen TALK