Information for Professionals
Al-Anon Family Groups, which include Alateen, has been in existence for over 60 years as a community resource providing support to those affected by someone else’s drinking. Today, there are over 24,500 Al-Anon and Alateen groups meeting in 131 countries. Our meetings are anonymous and confidential. There are no dues or fees for membership.
Defining Al-Anon/Alateen
Al-Anon:
- ▪ Is for families and friends of alcoholics
- ▪ Is a separate fellowship from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
- ▪ Is based on the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
- ▪ Is compatible with professional treatment
Alateen:
- ▪ Is part of the Al-Anon fellowship designed for the younger relatives and friends of alcoholics through age 19
- ▪ Members conduct their own meetings with the guidance of an Al-Anon members who are Alateen group sponsors
- ▪ Follows the same Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts as Al-Anon
- ▪ Give advice
- ▪ Indulge in gossip or criticism
- ▪ Discuss members’ religious beliefs, or lack of them
- ▪ Endorse or oppose any cause, therapy, or treatment
Anon/Alateen members are helped when they:
- ▪ Attend meetings on a regular basis
- ▪ Make telephone contact with other members
- ▪ Read Al-Anon/Alateen literature
- ▪ Have another Al-Anon/Alateen member as a sponsor
- ▪ Apply the Twelve Steps of recovery to their lives
- ▪ Become involved in Al-Anon/Alateen service work
Visit a meeting
Professionals may attend “open” Al-Anon meetings. An open Al-Anon meeting welcomes members and prospective members and allows attendance by people who are not families and friends of alcoholics but who are interested in learning about Al-Anon Family Groups.
Generally, Al-Anon group meetings are “closed,” limited to members and prospective members, giving them the freedom to share and listen to the experience, strength, and hope of one another on a confidential and anonymous basis.
The printed meeting schedule and Web listing of meetings indicates whether meetings are open or closed.
Remember anonymity
Al-Anon is an anonymous fellowship. This means that anyone attending a meeting is asked to keep confidential the identities of individuals seen and everything shared in the meeting.
We always protect our members’ anonymity, but the Al-Anon/Alateen program is not anonymous. We encourage the spreading of information about the availability of Al-Anon/Alateen meetings.
Cooperation with Professionals
Memphis Area Al-Anon Information Service, Inc. cooperates with professionals by providing:
- ▪ Speakers and selected literature for conferences, workshops, and meetings
- ▪ Open meetings
- ▪ Bringing a meeting to schools, institutions, and other facilities
- ▪ Local meeting schedules ( access to online schedule)
- ▪ Access to all Al-Anon/Alateen Conference Approved Literature
- ▪ An introductory packet of free literature
Contact us to find out more.

Order Literature
The Memphis Area Literature Distribution Center offers a variety of literature directed to the professionals in our community as well as literature for professionals to share with potential members of Al-Anon.

More Resources for Professionals
Visit the Web site of the Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters for results of Al-Anon’s survey of professionals, presentations for Al-Anon and Alateen, press releases, and more.
