Alateen, part of the Al-Anon Family Groups, is a fellowship of young people whose lives have been affected by alcoholism in a family member or friend. We help one another by sharing our experience, strength, and hope. Alateen is for young people from 12 through 19.

What do teens say about Alateen - How Alateen Helps

Published on Mar 12, 2013, this video features anonymous teens talking about the Alateen program and how it has helped them to better understand how someone else's alcoholism has affected their lives. In Alateen, teenagers have the chance to talk about what is bothering them, with others their age who are going through similar situations. The result is less stress, anger, and fear in Alateens' lives.

A Brief History of Alateen

In 1955, concerns for the problems of children in alcoholic families became a topic at the AA International Convention in St. Louis. Though there were several forums at the convention addressing these concerns, it was not until 1957 that the first Alateen group was formed in California by the teenage son of AA/Al-Anon parents. The movement caught on and several more groups were started.

By 1958, the Board of Directors of Al-Anon announced the formation of 31 groups with another 39 soon to be formed. The Board also announced the establishment of an Alateen Committee. By 1962, there were 203 Alateen groups registered world-wide. Alateen has continued to grow and has become a powerful force for good in the world of recovery.

Twelve Traditions of Alateen

Our group experience suggests that the unity of the Alateen Groups depends upon our adherence to these Traditions.

1. Our common welfare should come first; personal progress for the greatest number depends upon unity.

2. For our group purpose there is but one authority - a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.

3. The only requirement for membership is that there be a problem of alcoholism in a relative or friend. The teenage relatives of alcoholics, when gathered together for mutual aid, may call themselves an Alateen Group provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation.

4. Each group should be autonomous, except in matters affecting other Alateen and Al-Anon Family Groups or AA as a whole.

5. Each Alateen Group has but one purpose: to help other teenagers of alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps of AA ourselves and by encouraging and understanding the members of our immediate families.

6. Alateens, being part of Al-Anon Family Groups, ought never endorse, finance or lend our name to any outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary spiritual aim. Although a separate entity, we should always cooperate with Alcoholics Anonymous.

7. Every group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.

8. Alateen Twelfth Step work should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.

9. Our groups, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.

10. The Alateen Groups have no opinion on outside issues; hence our name ought never be drawn into public controversy.

11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, films, and TV. We need guard with special care the anonymity of all AA members.

12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles above personalities.

Alateen Links

On this page find links to Alateen and related web sites.

Internet Web Sites

• Alateen World Service Web Site

Alateen Talk

Alateen Talk is a quarterly publication from Al-Anon Family Group's younger members worldwide.

• Alateen Talk Volume 47 (PDF)