Al-Anon Family Groups Background

In the U.S. there are more than 18 million people with a drinking problem, and only 10 percent of them will ever get help. But every individual with a drinking problem disrupts the lives of at least four other people—the child who loses a parent due to a drunken driving accident, careers that are ruined, marriages and families that are destroyed by problem drinking. Of the estimated 72 million Americans affected by someone else’s drinking, most will not get help for themselves and many will never even realize that they could have benefited from some insight into the problems caused by another person’s drinking.

Al-Anon Family Groups was the first of many mutual support groups to adapt AA’s Twelve Step Program. Al‑Anon is well-known, but still not widely understood. It avoids the limelight, focusing only on providing confidential help to people in need. Al‑Anon does not use celebrity spokespersons. The confidentiality and anonymity of all members is strictly protected.  Go here for more background information on the Al-Anon Family Groups

Press Releases from the Al-Anon World Service Office

A special place for Alateens

Alateen is part of Al‑Anon Family Groups.  Alateen is a fellowship of young Al-Anon members, usually teenagers, whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking.  Alateen groups are sponsored by Al-Anon members who help the group to stay on track.  Alateens come together to:

  • share experiences, strength, and hope with each other
  • discuss difficulties
  • learn effective ways to cope with problems
  • encourage one another
  • help each other understand the principles of the Al-Anon program
  • learn how to use the Twelve Steps and Alateen’s Twelve Traditions

Have you ever asked yourself any of these questions? Al-Anon has many of the answers.

For additional information, please contact the Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, at 1-757-563-1600, or by e-mail.

For information in the Baltimore Area, please contact us.

Statement on Anonymity

See 2010-2013 Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual (pp 88-91) : “There may be some who are not familiar with our Traditions of personal anonymity at the public level. We respectfully ask that no Al-Anon, Alateen, or AA member be identified by full name or picture in published or broadcast reports, including those on the Internet. The assurance of anonymity is essential to our efforts to help families and friends of alcoholics, so that they know Al-Anon and Alateen meetings are safe, confidential place to get help. We gratefully appreciate the cooperation of the media in this matter.”