For many youth, growing up in families affected by alcohol or other substance use disorders, life can feel overwhelming, confusing, and lonely. You may love your parent deeply, but living in a home shaped by addiction often means facing uncertainty, stress, and sometimes even fear. The good news: you don’t have to face it alone.
One powerful source of help and healing for teens is Alateen, part of the worldwide Al-Anon Family Groups, which is grounded in the principles of the 12 Steps. Alateen meetings are created by and for teens who share a common bond — living with the effects of a parent’s or another family member’s drinking or substance use. Alateen – available in over 100 countries – is offered in many languages: English, Spanish, French, German, and others.
Why Teens Should Go to Alateen
• Alateen – a group that in most cases includes kids 9 years old and older – is a safe, confidential place where you’ll find:
• Understanding peers: You’ll meet other teens who “get it” because they live with similar struggles.
• Freedom to share: No judgment. No pressure. Just a space where your feelings are respected.
• Tools for coping: The program teaches practical ways to handle stress, manage emotions, and protect your own well-being.
• Hope: Seeing others further along in their journey can remind you that healing and strength are possible.
As one Alateen member once said: “When I walked in, I realized I wasn’t the only one. That changed everything.”
What You’ll Gain
Attending Alateen can help you:
• Understand that you did not cause your parent’s substance use disorder, and you cannot control or cure it.
• Build healthier ways to respond to stress at home, at school, and with friends.
• Gain confidence by learning the 12-step principles adapted for young people, like taking things one day at a time.
• Discover that you are worthy of support and capable of building a strong, healthy future.
Common Barriers (and How to Counter Them)
It’s natural to feel nervous about trying something new — especially something that involves opening up. Here are some common barriers teens may feel, along with reasons to give it a chance:
• “I don’t want to talk in front of strangers.”
That’s okay! You never have to speak if you don’t want to. Many people simply listen until they’re ready to share.
• “What if my friends find out?”
Meetings are confidential. What’s said there, stays there. Everyone respects privacy.
• “I don’t have time.”
Even one hour a week can make a huge difference. Think of it as giving yourself the same care and attention you give others.
• “My problems aren’t as bad as other people’s.”
Pain is pain. If you’ve been affected by a parent’s drinking or drug use, you belong. Period.
Visit the Alateen Teen Corner to read what other teens have shared about their experiences.
What to Expect at an In Person Meeting
Walking into your first Alateen meeting, you might see:
• A small group of teens, usually with an Al-Anon sponsor (like a mentor) or adult supporter present.
• A welcoming, informal setting where everyone sits in a circle.
• People reading from Alateen literature, sharing their stories, or discussing a recovery topic.
• No interruptions or cross-talk (not giving feedback or advice about what other people have shared) — everyone gets a chance to be heard without judgment.
Over time, you’ll notice that meetings become a place of comfort, growth, and belonging. Some teens find themselves laughing more, crying less, and realizing they are part of a bigger family of hope.
Alateen Chat – Using the App
Alateen meetings in the Mobile App are designed for young people aged 13 to 18. These meetings are moderated by two Alateen Group Sponsors for your safety.
There are currently five meetings available each week
• Monday 6 pm ET
• Monday 10 pm ET
• Wednesday 7 pm ET
• Wednesday 9:30 pm ET
• Thursday 7:30 pm ET
To allow you to attend anonymously, teens can change the screen name once you’ve entered the meeting room. This app is available in English, Spanish, or French, but meetings at this time are most frequently held in English.
Ongoing Support: More Than Just Meetings
Alateen is about progress, not perfection. As you keep attending, you’ll build:
• Friendships with peers who truly understand.
• Resilience to face challenges at home.
• A new perspective on what recovery means for you, not just for your parent.
• And perhaps most importantly: You’ll know you are not alone.
At NACoA, we want every young person growing up in the shadow of parental addiction to know they deserve safety, support, and joy in life. Alateen offers a path toward healing for teens — a place to share the load, gain tools for resilience, and start building hope for the future.
Additional Resources
• Alateen Frequently Asked Questions by Teens
• Alateen Quiz Has Your Life Been Affected By Someone Else’s Drinking? Take this self quiz to help decide whether or not Alateen is right for you
• Alateen Literature Read a sample of an introductory book Alateen – Hope for Children of Alcoholics. Al-Anon is committed to providing literature in English, Spanish, and French.
• Does Your Mom or Dad Have a Substance Use Disorder
• Just 4 Teens NACoA’s section of the website with information and resources just for teens
