Information for Professionals
Al-Anon Family Groups, including Alateen, has been around over 50 years providing hope and help to those affected by someone else's drinking. Today, there are over 26,000 Al-Anon and Alateen groups meeting all over the world. Our meetings are completely anonymous and confidential. There are no dues or fees for membership.
Forty percent of Al-Anon members report that a professional influenced their decision to attend their first Al-Anon meeting. Al-Anon and Alateen meetings are compatible with all types of counseling and medical treatment.
For further information please feel free to email us at webmaster@alnwfl-al-anon.org, or call 1-888-4AL-ANON (1-888-425-2666), US, Canada, and Puerto Rico, Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm ET.
Who Are the Members of Al-Anon/Alateen?
The common bond among Al-Anon/Alateen members (and indeed the only requirement for membership) is that there is a problem with alcohol in a relative or friend. The relationship with an alcoholic may be current or past, and members come together for mutual aid. There are no professional counselors; members take turns facilitating the meetings where they share their own experience, strength, and hope with each other, to learn how to better cope with the effects of alcoholism on their lives.
Every three to four years,
the Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. conducts a survey of its members.
The most recent survey, completed in November 2003, shows a composite picture of
today’s Al-Anon/Alateen members.
Al-Anon members have attended meetings for an average of 10.6 years. They have
had close personal contact with an average of three alcoholics. Alateens on
average have been members for 2.5 years, and have four alcoholics in their
lives. Almost half of Al-Anon members have an alcoholic parent; about half have
a current spouse who is alcoholic. Over 90 percent of Alateen members have an
alcoholic parent or stepparent, 59 percent another relative, and 44 percent a
friend with a drinking problem.
The 2003 Survey shows
increases in members who have been in over 10 years, who have an alcoholic
parent, who are retired, and have current spouses in Alcoholics Anonymous. Since
1999, there are increases in Alateen members who have a friend who is alcoholic
and Alateens who report family members attending Al-Anon and Alcoholics
Anonymous.
Seventy-eight percent of Al-Anon members and 94 percent of Alateen members
report that a personal recommendation was an important factor in influencing
them to attend their first meeting. A referral from a professional
(therapist/counselor, doctor, clergy, etc.) was a key factor for 40 percent of
Al-Anons and 25 percent of Alateens.
Additional Survey results will be published in pamphlet format and posted on the Al-Anon/Alateen Headquarters Web site,
www.al-anon.alateen.org. For local meeting information, please call your local Al-Anon information service (listed in telephone directories, and on the Web site). A toll-free meeting line is available for the US and Canada Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, 1-888-4AL-ANON (1-888-425-2666).
Resources for Professionals
Al-Anon Family Groups has a long history of cooperation with professionals who work with families and friends of alcoholics. Doctors, nurses, counselors, therapists, social workers, attorneys, judicial, law enforcement, employee assistance and human resources personnel are just a few of the professions that find their patients/clients can benefit from Al-Anon/Alateen.
We have made available as
downloadable PDF files several pamphlets that may assist you in making referrals
to Al-Anon/Alateen family group meetings.
Fact Sheet for Professionals
(For basic information about Al-Anon and Alateen, and how we
cooperate with professionals in the US and Canada)
More pamphlets for professionals
To contact Al-Anon locally, check the meeting schedules on this Web site, or call 1-888-4AL-ANON (1-888-425-266), US, Canada, and Puerto Rico, Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm ET. To receive additional information, use our on-line request form
