Al-Anon Family Groups

is a community resource providing support to anyone affected by a relative or friend's drinking. There are over 24,000 Al-Anon and nearly 1,800 Alateen groups meetings in 131 countries.

Al-Anon

• Has only one requirement for membership - each member has been affected by someone else's drinking.
• Is a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who meet anonymously to share their experience, strength, and hope in order to solve their common problem; 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 nonprofessional, self-supporting, spiritually based, apolitical, welcomes all cultures, and is available almost everywhere.

Alateen:

• Is part of the Al-Anon fellowship designed for the younger relatives and friends of alcoholics through the teen years.
• Members conduct their own meetings with the guidance of an Al-Anon member Sponsor.
• Follows the same Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and principles as Al-Anon.

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.

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 and emotionally.
• To benefit from contact with others who have similar problems.
• To improve their own attitudes and behaviors through the study and practice of Al-Anon's Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.

A Formal Referral Is Not Necessary

For meeting information you or your client can call:

• The Al-Anon Service Center in West Allis at 414-257-2415 for meetings in the southeast Wisconsin area.
• The Meetings section of this web site for meetings in the southeast Wisconsin area.
• The national Al-Anon/Alateen website: www.al-anon.alateen.org.
• Toll-free for meeting information between 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Monday to Friday ET. 888-4AL-ANON (888-425-2666) U.S.A. or Canada.

Al-Anon/Alateen Meetings Include:

• OPEN meetings that may be attended by anyone interested in learning about the Al-Anon or Alateen program.
• CLOSED meetings that are for anyone whose life is or has been affected by a problem drinker.
• Limited access groups which meet in locations where the general membership may not be able to attend (i.e. industrial, military, or school settings).
• Introductory meetings at facilities to introduce Al-Anon/Alateen to newcomers.

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.
• Provide support for problems other than the impact of alcoholism upon the family members.

Al-Anon/Alateen Is Self-Supporting:

• Through the voluntary contributions of members; there are no dues or fees for membership. Al-Anon does not accept any outside funds, grants, or donations.

Al-Anon/Alateen Is a Program Based upon Anonymity:

• The identity of all Al-Anon and Alateen members, as well as members of Alcoholics Anonymous, is protected.
• Confidentiality is allowed to develop from a sense of trust and honesty.
• The focus is on spiritual principles, not personalities, which leads to a fellowship of equals.

Al-Anon/Alateen Cooperates with Professionals by Providing:

• Speakers and literature for conferences, workshops, and meetings.
• Open meetings.
• Meetings at schools, institutions, and other facilities.
• Local meeting schedules.
• A variety of literature.
• A FREE packet of literature - Call U.S., 888-4AL-ANON (888-425-2666) or e-mail wso@al-anon.org.
• Visit the AFG, Inc. World Wide Web site ( or use our fax number to order literature, (757) 563-1655. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express accepted.

Al-Anon/Alateen Groups Are Started By:

• Al-Anon and Alateen members. A minister, doctor, social worker, or AA member can initiate the formation of an Al-Anon/Alateen group. However, after the group has started members operate the group. Professional or AA participation should be limited to open meetings.

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