For Professionals

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Al-Anon Family Groups, which include Alateen, has been in existence for over 50 years as a community resource providing support to those affected by someone else's drinking. Today, there are over 26,000 Al-Anon and Alateen groups meeting in 115 countries. Our meetings are anonymous and confidential. There are no dues or fees for membership.

Forty percent of Al-Anon members report that a professional influenced their decision to attend their first Al-Anon meeting. Al-Anon and Alateen meetings are compatible with all types of counseling and medical treatment.

AL-ANON/ALATEEN has 24-hour toll-free numbers to call for a free introductory packet of literature for professionals: 800.344.9996

Members also might find the information in these publications helpful.

• Fact Sheet For Professionals (S-37)
• Al-Anon Presentation for Professionals
• Alateen Presentation for Professionals
• An Addiction Psychiatrist Recommends Al-Anon Family Groups
  As an addiction psychiatrist, I am grateful to have Al-Anon available for my patients who have been affected by anyone’s use of alcohol. I recommend Al-Anon whenever I see a patient who complains of anxiety, depression, or a variety of physical problems that are commonly worsened by close contact with the disease of alcoholism.
• Destination: Family Recovery
  Over the years, I have personally witnessed the power of family recovery. When patients' family members are willing to look at themselves and actively participate in their own recovery process, it not only helps our alcoholic patients, but also improves the lives of the entire family.
• Clients Fiercely Protected Secrets Surrounding Alcoholism
  I have been practicing as an attorney primarily in the Family Law area for 33 years. During the first half of my career I was often frustrated by my inability, using legal solutions alone, to bring about the changes necessary for my clients who were dealing with alcoholic loved ones, to feel sane, whole, and hopeful.
• Al-Anon Survey Among Members
  From June to September 2006, 3% of a total of 14, 924 Al-Anon groups in the U.S. and Canada were surveyed.
• Alateen Survey Among Members
  In Fall 2006, a total of 139 Alateen member surveys were tallied. These surveys represent an estimated 945 Alateen groups in the U.S.
• Full Dataset for 2006 Membership Survey

Open Letter Series

• Spiritual Leaders (OS-1)
• To Doctors (OD-2)
• To A Lawyer (OL-3)
• To The Police (OP-4)
• To My Teacher (OT-5)
• Human Services Professional (OH-6)
• Student Assistant Professional (OSP-7)

Publications & information reprinted with permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA