Al-Anon+and+Alateen



= Al-Anon and Alateen of NJ =
 * Al-Anon** is for anyone who's life has effected by someone else's drinking. Members come to Al-Anon meetings because they want and need help. In the meetings, members share their experience, hope and strength with each other. Members are not required to speak during the meetings, but they may offer input if they want. For new members, there is always someone available to answer their questions before or after the meeting.


 * Facts:**
 * One of the Al-Anon programs basic principles is that of anonymity. Meetings are confidential. Whom or what is heard at meetings is never disclosed to anyone.
 * Al-Anon has no dues, but members are asked to donate what they can afford.
 * Al-Anon considers itself a spiritual fellowship, but not a religious one. Members of all religions are welcome.




 * Alateen** is a fellowship of young Al-Anon members, usually teenagers, whose lives have been affected by someone else's drinking.

**Young people come together to:**
 * share experience, strength, and hope with each other
 * discuss their difficulties
 * learn effective ways to cope with their problems
 * encourage one another

**Alateen members learn:**
 * compulsive drinking is a disease
 * they can detach themselves emotionally from the drinker's problems while continuing to love the person
 * they are not the cause of anyone else's drinking or behavior
 * they cannot change or control anyone but themselves
 * they can build satisfying and rewarding life experiences for themselves

Every Alateen group needs an active, adult member of Al-Anon to serve as sponsor. The sponsor is an active party of the group, guiding and sharing knowledge of our Twelve Steps and Traditions. Members of Alateen can also choose to have a personal sponsor, who can be another member of Alateen or Al-Anon.

Alateen members meet in church halls, school rooms or other suitable places (many times in the same building as an Al-Anon grop but in a separate room). All Alateen meetings are considered 'closed'. That means that only people who have been affected by the compulsive drinking of another are welcome. Outsiders with an interest are welcome to sit in on an 'open' Al-Anon meeting to learn more.
 * //How to obtain the services provided by Al-Anon and Alateen://**

Anyone can call 1-888-4AL-ANON for meeting information in the US. Below I have listed the location and phone number for the South Jersey headquarters. Haddon Heights, NJ 08035 (856)547-0855
 * South Jersey Information Service Suite 1B** **// 116 White Horse Pike

Are the services provided effective?

No one can really judge whether the services provided are effective besides those whose lives who have touched by the problem of alcohol and who are members of the group. However, it is a nationally recognized organization that has been around for over 55 years. The goal of the organization is to provide friendly faces and people who care and understand what each member is going through. My experience has been that talking to people who understand what you are going through does help with the problem. //**