When I arrived at the doors of Al-Anon Family Groups, I was in my early 20s, just barely above the cutoff age for Alateen. I was raising a toddler and an infant with an alcoholic partner. I have often wondered how much more manageable my teen years might have been had I found recovery earlier. Today, years later, I realize I might have resisted the help. That tendency robbed me of many opportunities to accept help instead of recklessly plowing my own path with distorted, immature thinking. Perhaps I needed to suffer a little longer from the effects of loving alcoholics before I could admit that I needed help.
Years later, when my children had entered their teenage years, I knew they would benefit from the recovery Alateen offers. While there were a few certified Al-Anon Members Involved in Alateen Service (AMIAS) supporting local Alateen meetings, I understood the importance of allowing my children the freedom to grow in the program without feeling scrutinized because their parent in the same room. So, I stepped back from serving their group, but I found other ways to serve Alateen.
Through my own recovery in Al-Anon, I recognized the miracles that could help teens build a balanced foundation for making healthy choices and creating strong relationships. I wanted to make sure that Alateen would continue to be available for all those seeking help in the future. I was the first Alateen Coordinator in my Area. During that first panel, we determined that one member could serve as both the Area Alateen Coordinator and the Area Alateen Process Person (AAPP). This met our Area’s needs given the relatively small number of meetings.
Learning the responsibilities of the Area Alateen Coordinator and AAPP positions helped me encourage other members to serve Alateen. And most service positions do touch Alateen in some way. Carrying the message of help and hope to teens involves cooperating with Public Outreach Coordinators. Literature Coordinators can share information about Conference Approved Literature (CAL) so teens have access to it wherever possible. Al‑Anon Information Service (AIS) centers provide accurate meeting information, and District Representatives (DRs) report the current Alateen group status at Area World Service Committee (AWSC) meetings. These days, I consider how attractive the Al-Anon groups I attend are to teens who are reaching the upper age limit for Alateen.
It can be said that it’s a different world for children and teens these days, but the effects of the family disease of alcoholism seem just as troubling as they were long ago. Today, I recertify annually as an AMIAS so I can serve Alateen locally whenever needed. It is the joy of service in my recovery to help ensure that Alateen is available to teens in need. Our shared responsibility for service to Alateens reminds me that “Together We Can Make It!”
By Christa A., Group Services & Alateen Coordinator
The Forum, November 2023
“Inside Al‑Anon Family Groups” presents news, policy, and commentary from volunteers, staff and readers sharing experience through service. Please feel free to reprint these articles on your service structure website or newsletter, along with this credit line: Reprinted with permission of Al‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA.