IS ALATEEN FOR YOU?

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If you are between 9 and 19 and have been affected by someone's drinking, please consider visiting an Alateen meeting. You'll meet other young people just like you who are experiencing in varying degrees, the same feelings of pain and frustration. Alateens use the program to find serenity, even happiness, whether the other person is still drinking or not.

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HOW WILL ALATEEN HELP?

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Alateens share that they have come to understand that alcoholism is a disease and that:

• They are not the cause of anyone else's drinking or behavior.
• They cannot change or control anyone but themselves.
• They can detach themselves emotionally from the drinker's problems while continuing to love the person.
• They can build satisfying and rewarding life experiences for themselves, whether the alcoholic still drinks or not.

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WHO ATTENDS ALATEEN MEETINGS?

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Youth aged 9 to 19 who have been affected by someone else’s drinking are invited to attend Alateen. Everyone in the meeting has been affected by someone else’s drinking. Some members currently live with a problem drinker, others do not. Alateens have suffered the same trauma as any adult exposed to this disease and the Alateen group is a wonderful place to find recovery from its effects. ALL Alateen meetings (in person or on-line) has a minimum of two active adult members of Al-Anon, called Supportive Al-Anon Members (SAMS) present at all times. Each SAM is certified by their local area process and has completed a vulnerable sector criminal background check.

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DO I HAVE TO SAY ANYTHING AT A MEETING?

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Absolutely not! You are welcome to listen and learn. It has been proven to be very helpful and benificial for you if you do wish to share. The unity in the group grows and you may find others are feeling the same way or have experienced similar feelings as you. What is discussed...

• dfficulties and challenges
• effective ways to cope with their problems
• positive encourage
• the principles of the Alateen program

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HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

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There are no dues for membership. Alateen meetings are free, anonymous and confidential. Alateen is self supporting through its own voluntary contributions, and through the sale of Conference-Approved Literature (CAL). Whether you can contribute or not, you are welcome to attend Alateen meetings.

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WHAT WILL I LEARN IN ALATEEN?

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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 behaviour
• they cannot change or control anyone but themselves
• they have spiritual and intellectual resources with which to develop their own potential, no matter what happens at home
• they can build satisfying and rewarding life experiences for themselves

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