Professionals

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-nine 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 worldwide.
  • Our meetings are anonymous and confidential
  • There are no dues or fees for membership
  • There are meetings in every state in Australia.

Support materials for Professionals:

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.

Resources for professionals: