Alateen was started in 1957 by a boy in California, whose father, an alcoholic, was sober in AA ( Alcoholic's Anonymous ). His mother was a member of an Al-Anon group, so he patterned Alateen after Al-Anon ideas.
When we belong to an Alateen group, we go to meetings where we can discuss our problems. We read Al-Anon and Alateen pamphlets which help answer our questions and we hear how others have made a new life for themselves, set new goals, and help others in the group to do the same.
In Al-Anon and Alateen we learn that alcoholism is a disease. Alcoholics have an incurable illness, which they cannot control.
Alcoholics don't want to make their family and friends suffer. They don't want to get into debt, smash up cars, land in hospitals or jails. They don't want to forget special days, abuse their families or embarrass us. However, alcohol affects people's behavior. Even though they may not admit they drink too much, they often suffer from guilt, remorse, physical illness, loneliness and despair.
We begin to understand this when we come to Alateen. We also discover what we can do to help ourselves, whether the alcoholic continues to drink or not.
Alcoholism is a worldwide problem. In the United States and Canada there are more than 20 million alcoholics. Many have children, brothers and sisters, or good friends who care about them. So you see, you are not alone in your trouble. That's why Alateen continues to grow.