This information is directed towards professionals working in the alcohol addiction field, to inform how Al-Anon Family Groups can provide a supplement to professional expertise.
For the past sixty years, Al-Anon Family Groups, which includes Alateen, has provided support as a community resource around the world for those affected by someone else's drinking.
- Today, there are about 24,000 Al-Anon and Alateen group meetings in more than 115 countries
- Our meetings are anonymous and confidential
- There are no dues or fees for membership
- There are meetings in every state in Australia.
Al-Anon Family Groups:
- Al-Anon is a separate fellowship from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
- Al-Anon is based on the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions (adapted from AA).
Alateen:
- Alateen is part of the Al-Anon fellowship, and is for the younger relatives and friends of alcoholics through their teen years
- Members conduct their own meetings with the guidance of members of Al-Anon as Sponsors
- Alateen follows the same Twelve Steps as Al-Anon, as well as all of its principles.
People are referred to Al-Anon/Alateen group meetings:
- To learn the facts about alcoholism as an illness, and how it has impacted their lives physically, spiritually and emotionally
- To benefit from contact with others who have, or have had similar problems
- To improve their own attitudes and behaviors through the study and practice of the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions.
Al-Anon and Alateen members are helped when they:
- Attend meetings on a regular basis
- Make telephone contact with other members
- Read Al-Anon / Alateen literature
- Have a personal Sponsor
- Apply the Twelve Steps of recovery to their lives
- Become involved in Al-Anon service work.
Al-Anon/Alateen groups do not:
- Give advice
- Indulge in gossip or criticism
- Discuss members' religious beliefs, or lack of them
- Endorse or oppose any cause, therapy, or treatment.
More help for professionals:
- If you would like to hear professionals in the field of alcohol addiction speak about Al-Anon Family Groups, link here to podcasts published by the World Service Office on its website (opens in a new browser tab).
- Australian membership survey 2011 results are available online, here (file size 7 MB). For further information, contact the Australian General Service Office.
- Al-Anon's 2012 Membership Survey Results (from the North American survey) are available from the World Service Office website (opens in a new window).