Amherst, OH –  Alateen Meetings

What is Alateen?

Alateen is a fellowship of young people who are largely teenagers, whose lives have been affected by someone who has a drinking problem.

By going to a meeting, teeneagers are able to gather with other teenagers who have had similar situations with someone whom they know has an addiction to drinking.

Alateen is not a group for teenagers who are struggling with alcohol.

Alateen has weekly support group meetings that occur during the week.  Family members are welcome, the age group is focused on teenagers and young adults.

The goal of Alateen is not to provide any interventions or try to convince a loved one to stop the addiction to drinking.

It is a place where participants can gather and share personal experiences, get some hope and strength that can help one to cope with the addictive person.

Teenagers and young adults who attend Alateen meetings can learn techniques to stop enabling behaviours and help to learn healthier coping skills.

Alateen meetings also provide teenagers and young adults an outlet to share experiences, concerns and possibly give and receive helpful advice.

Alateen has meetings scheduled all over the world and there are many meetings that take place each week in the Amhers, OH area.

Alateen meetings are run by individuals who have a certified Alateen Group Sponsor Present.

There are several different types of Alateen meetings, including:

• Beginners meetings- These are designed especially for newcomers and can be held as an extension of another Al-Anon meeting.
• 12-Step Study meetings – These meetings walk members through the 12-Step Study. This involves exploring the 12 step program.
• Open sessions – These are meetings that allow families to be present during the meeting. Regular attendees are allowed to actively participate, which reduces the load that some new people, like a teenager might feel during the first meeting.
• Closed meetings – Members and prospective members are welcome to attend.
• Specific Group Gatherings – These meetings are restricted to certain group characteristics. For example, there are women-only meetings, newcomers meetings, members of the LGBT community and various religions.
• Online meetings – These work for those in remote areas where finding nearby meetings is difficult or for people who are unable to leave their homes.  It provides support no matter the location and is very popular among teenagers.

What to Expect During Alateen Meetings

Every Alateen meeting type has a different format that participants follow.

Teenagers and young adults can be sensitive or even concerned about what to expect when attending an Alateen meeting for the first time. The teenager or young adults may be timid and that is okay. They also may be unnerved that they will be put on the spot or embarrassed in some way.

The teenagers or young adults are free to ask questions or talk about their situation at the first meeting, but if it is more comfortable they can just say pass.   They are encouraged to listen, sit and then participate when they are ready.

It is important for the teenager and young adult, when comfortable, to share their experience and struggles with the group as it becomes more comfortable.

During Alateen meetings, any of the following may happen:

• Visitors and newcomers are asked to introduce themselves by their first name.
• The meeting will begin with a reading from the Twelve Steps.
• Some meetings will start with the Serenity Prayer.
• Participants or members may be asked to share on specific topics.
• There may be an open discussion, during which time, anyone can share with the group.
• There might be a short break to allow for a drink, restroom break or socialization.
• At the end of the meeting, the importance of confidentiality is always stressed.
• Members will be asked to gather in a circle at the end to say a short prayer.

Why is Attending Addiction Recovery Meetings Important?

Attending addiction recovery meetings can be accommodating for people who are recovering from an addiction or know someone that cares for who is. This is helpful because the person can get advice on how to manage the problem and they might not feel like they are the only person who is going through this situation.

Some of the benefits of attending recovery meetings are:

• Understanding the implications of addiction and how to handle any hurdles for the person who is on the road to recovery.
• Receiving help on how to handle the anxiety and depression as one manages the addiction.
• Allows one to express experiences with addiction without feeling judged.
• Learning how to take care of the addiction for themself or for another person.
• Having the opportunity of not being on one’s own and being around others to contribute personal experiences.

According to the Lorain County Community Health Assessment:

• 3% of the adults stated that they have talked to their doctors or health care providers about substance abuse options
• 5% of the adults were diagnosed or treated for substance abuse disorder.

Organizations like Alateen make it possible for people to get the help they need and to feel heard by others who have been down a similar road.

Traveling to SpringBoard Recovery in Arizona for Drug and Alcohol Rehab

People often choose to travel from Appleton, Wisconsin to SpringBoard Recovery for drug and alcohol rehab. There are numerous reasons why someone might make that decision, including:

• Finding a treatment program that will accept their personal insurance plan.
• Being in a private setting will allow oneself to get away from their home and focus on oneself during the recovery process.
• If the person is a public figure, being away from the home area will allow the person to be out of the public eye while focusing on recovery.
• Finding a recovery option that is not offered in the local area such as holistic recovery.
• Wanting to participate in a recovery option that is not given at nearby recovery centers that the person lives near.
• Going to an area that will allow them to get away from triggers that might hinder the recovery process.

We at SpringBoard Recovery, offer recovery housing as well as our addiction treatment program. We are here to help. Please contact us today to learn more.

Attending Alateen can be very helpful, and many teenagers and young adults have gotten the support they need for themselves and manage family members. Many have been able to stop being an enabler to the addicted person.