Alateen

“I Always Feel Better”
I have been in Alateen regularly for eight years. My dad is in A.A. and my mom is in Al‑Anon. Even though we don’t have active alcoholism in our home, my family thinks it’s important for all of us to be in recovery. I think we have a pretty positive family.

I have learned how to be a service-oriented person from my parents and my Alateen groups. At my Alateen meetings, I like to set up the room and get the books. We rotate being the Chairperson and picking the topic.

Some of the kids in my Alateen group live in homes like mine where nobody drinks. Some of the kids have parents who are still having troubles. At our meetings, we read from our literature and talk about ways to feel better about ourselves and our lives. We tell new members that alcoholism is a family disease, and that they didn’t cause it, they can’t control it, and they can’t cure it.

During our meetings, we focus on a topic, like feelings, slogans, the Steps, Traditions, or a sharing from our Alateen literature. Then we share what we are doing well and what we need to work on. Next, we share our “Happies and Crappies,” and we end with our “Gratitudes.” Our meetings go quickly, and we have fun. Parents might think we are talking about them, but we really focus on ourselves and our own problems. I notice that I always feel better after I go to a meeting.

By Anonymous
The Forum, April 2023
Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA.