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What is Alateen?

Alateen is a 12 Step Recovery Program for teens ages 13-19 who are affected by someone else's drinking.  Teens come together to share experience, strength and hope; find effective strategies for coping with problems; and learn and use the principles of the program through Alateen's Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.

How does Alateen work?
Alateen meetings are 12 Step meetings by teens, for teens.  They are for anyone ages 13-18 who is affected by someone else's drinking.  It is within the autonomy of each Alateen group to lower the age limit or divide into groups according to age.

Alateens run the meetings.  At least one adult from Al-Anon (called an "AMIAS"--Al-Anon Member in Alateen Service) is present to facilitate each Alateen meeting.  These Al-Anon sponsors help to keep the meeting focused and keep everyone safe.

No one gives advice.  When someone is going through a hard time, we listen.  We learn that we are not alone and we share our experience, strength and hope with one other.

In Alateen, we learn that we didn't cause, we can't control, and we can't cure someone else's drinking or their erratic behavior.  Alcoholism is a "family disease" because it affects everyone in the family.  

Alateens learn to separate themselves from the alcoholic's behavior.  When we stop reacting to what the alcoholic does says and does, things start to change.

We learn there can be a price to keeping secrets.  Being able to talk about our struggles helps us get rid of the anger and confusion that someone else's drinking may cause.

Alateens learn and use the principles of the program and Alateen's Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions through the use of Alateen literature.

What gets said within a meeting stays in the meeting.

Find an Alateen meeting

We encourage you to contact District 13 Alateen Coordinator at [email protected] to talk to someone and be directed to other active Alateen meetings.

Please check out these resources to find other Alateen meetings:

Learn more about Alateen

Visit the Alateen
​Teen Corner page

Browse these Frequently Asked Questions by teens


​Browse Alateen literature

Has your life been affected by someone else's drinking?


​Read about how Alateen can help

Read stories of others affected by a parent's drinking

Questions?  Contact Us.
Still have questions?  Can't find what you're looking for?  Get in touch with us here.
Cites
Marcel, Gaelle​. June 19, 2016. Four People Sitting on Wooden Stair. https://unsplash.com/photos/four-people-sitting-on-wooden-stair-AWidiBoRO08. date obtained February 16, 2025

​Fauxels. November 5, 2019. Photo of People Next to Each Other. https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-people-next-to-each-other-3184308/.date obtained February 16, 2025
Contact Us:
[email protected]
[email protected]
Pierce County Al-Anon Information Services
PO Box 99514
Lakewood, WA 98496-0514