Alateen, a part of the Al-Anon Family Groups, is a fellowship of young people (mostly teenagers) whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking whether they are in your life drinking or not. By attending Alateen, teenagers meet other teenagers with similar situations. Alateen is not a religious program and there are no fees or dues to belong to it. Alateen provides a safe place for young people affected by someone else’s drinking to share their own experience, strength, and hope with each other, and to learn how to apply the principles of the Al‑Anon/Alateen program to their lives. The age range for Alateen is normally 13-18, with Alateen members at 18-19, transitioning into the Al-Anon program from Alateen when they are ready. Some Alateen groups allow those younger than 13 to attend.*
Alateen Groups have “Group Sponsors”, adult Al-Anon members that have been certified to work with Alateens. These members are present at every meeting to ensure the safety of the teens in attendance, make sure behavior guidelines are followed and assist in keeping the focus on the Al-Anon/Alateen program.
Alateens have their own Conference Approved Literature, run their meetings and work the steps, traditions and concepts with sponsors (fellow Alateens) just like Al-Anons do in an Al-Anon meetings and with their sponsors.
*If your child is 12 or under, please contact us and we can put you in contact with one of our members who is a certified AMIAS for the Ultimate Alateen group.
For more information about Alateen, check out the Teen Corner at the official Al-Anon World Service website.
More About Alateen Group Sponsors / AMIAS Certification
As mentioned before, each Alateen Group has multiple Alateen Group Sponsors who are present at the Alateen meeting to ensure the safety of the teens in attendance and ensure the meeting maintains focus on the Al-Anon/Alateen program. Al‑Anon members who wish to serve Alateen in any capacity are required to participate in a certification process established in their Area. Once certified, the member becomes an Al‑Anon Member Involved in Alateen Service (AMIAS). Alateen Group Sponsors are certified AMIAS who give their time to ensure that the spiritual principles of the Al‑Anon program are shared with the Alateen group. (Source: Alateen Service Manual, pg 3)
Certification in the state of South Carolina requires the Al-Anon Member Involved in Alateen Service to be at least 21 years old, have been an active member of Al‑Anon for at least two years, in addition to any time spent in Alateen, and complete a background check process. No person may be certified as an AMIAS, including Alateen Group Sponsors, who has ever been convicted of a felony, or
charged with child abuse or any other inappropriate sexual behavior, or has demonstrated emotional problems which could result in harm to the Alateen members. For the complete list of requirements in your Area please contact your Area Alateen Coordinator. (Source: G34)