Minneapolis Alateen Meetings

What is Alateen?

Alateen is part of the Al-Anon organization, and it offers support groups for teenagers and young adults whose lives have been affected by someone who has a drinking problem.

By attending a meeting, teenagers can fellowship with others who have been in similar situations and who have faced the same types of challenges.

Alateen is not a group for teenagers who are struggling or addicted to alcohol.

Alateen has weekly support group meetings. Family members are welcome, but the meetings are focused on helping teenagers and young adults.

The goal of Alateen is not to provide any interventions or try to convince a loved one to stop drinking, but it is a place to congregate and share personal experiences. Teenagers and young adults who attend Alateen meetings can learn techniques to stop enabling behaviors and help to learn healthier coping skills.

Alateen has meetings scheduled all over the   and there are many meetings that take place each week in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area. The meetings are run by individuals who have a certified Alateen group sponsor present. If a group sponsor is not present, then the teenagers are welcomed to join the Al-Anon meeting.

The meetings are ideal for young adults and teens who might have parents, siblings, and even close friends who drink alcohol and who have been negatively impacted as a result.

There are several 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 meetings allow families to be present. Regular attendees are encouraged to actively participate, which reduces the load that some new people, like a teenager, might feel during the first meeting.
• 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 – This provides support no matter the location, and this option is very popular among teenagers.

What to Expect at an Alateen Meeting

Every Alateen meeting type has a different format, but most follow the 12 step process for Alateen.

Newcomers are often concerned about what to expect when attending an Alateen meeting for the first time. New teenagers or young adults may be concerned that they will be put on the spot or embarrassed in some way. That feeling is okay, and former members will make them feel as comfortable as possible.

Newcomers are free to ask questions or talk about their situations at the first meeting, but if it is more comfortable, they can just say “pass.” Newcomers are encouraged to sit and listen, and then participate when they are ready. They will always be welcomed in a warm fashion.

It is important for newcomers to share their experiences and struggles with the group as it becomes more comfortable.

During Alateen meetings, it is learned that:

• Drinking in abundance is a disease.
• That they are not the cause of anyone’s drinking.
• The only person we can control is ourselves.
• To develop their own potential no matter what happens at home.
• To build a satisfying life.

Also, during Alateen meetings:

• Visitors and newcomers are asked to introduce themselves by their first names.
• The meeting may begin with a reading from the Twelve Steps.
• Members may be asked to gather in a circle to say a short prayer.

The Need for Alateen Meetings

Attending addiction recovery meetings can be helpful for people who are recovering from an addiction or know someone that cares for who is recovering.

According to the Hennepin County Public Health Community Assessment,  29% of adults aged over 25 engaged in heavy or binge-drinking.

According to the same community assessment, over half of young adults aged 24-34 drink excessively.

This indicates that many teens need support in Minneapolis, and Alateen is helpful because young people can get advice on how to manage the problem, and they might not feel like they are the only ones going through this situation. Some of the benefits of attending recovery meetings are:

• Understanding the implications of addiction and how to handle barriers for the person who is on the road to recovery.
• Being able to discuss personal challenges.
• Not being judged for sharing about personal issues.
• Learning effective ways to cope with problems.
• Sharing experiences, strength, and hope with one another.

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

Traveling to Arizona for Drug and Alcohol Rehab

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

• Some are trying to find 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.
• Staying out of the public eye while focusing on recovery, which may be important for people who work with the public.
• Finding an alternative to typical recovery options, such as holistic recovery, which might not be offered in their area.
• Getting away from triggers that could hinder the healing process for recovery.

At SpringBoard Recovery, we offer recovery housing as well as our addiction treatment program. We are here to help provide a stable and healthy environment for those who want to recover with us in our programs. Please contact us today to learn more.