TN Alateen

Alateen is a fellowship of young Al-Anon members, usually teenagers, whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. 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/Alateen program
  • Learn how to use the Twelve Steps and Alateen’s Twelve Traditions.
Group of teens

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

Alateen Meetings

Alateen meetings are held 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). Every meeting has at least two active, adult members of Al-Anon who serve as sponsors for the group, called AMIAS (Al-Anon Member In Alateen Service). Their role is to help guide the meeting, keep it safe, and to keep the meeting grounded in the principles of the program.

Go to our Alateen Meetings page for information about Al-Anon/Alateen meetings in your area.

Alateen Group Sponsorship

Alateen sponsors are called AMIAS (Al-Anon Member In Alateen Service). Every AMIAS must complete a certification process by the Tennessee Area before participating in Alateen meetings. Every Alateen meeting must have at least two AMIAS in attendance.

Interested in learning more about becoming an AMIAS? Go to our Alateen training page to learn more.

 

Reprinted with permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA.