Alateen is for young people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. Sometimes the active drinking has stopped, or the active drinker may not live with us anymore.  Even though the alcohol may be gone, and the alcoholic gone or recovering in AA, we are still affected. Many of us have received help from Alateen or Al-Anon.  The following 20 questions are to help you decide whether or not Alateen is for you.

1. Do you believe no one could possibly understand how you feel? 

2. Do you cover up your real feelings by pretending you don't care? 

3. Do you feel neglected, uncared for, or unloved? 

4. Do you tell lies to cover up for someone else's drinking or what's happening at home? 

5. Do you stay out of the house as much as possible because you hate it there?

6. Are you afraid or embarrassed to bring your friends home?

7. Has someone's drinking upset you? 

8. Are mealtimes, birthdays, and holidays spoiled because of drinking or others' reactions to the drinking? 

9. Are you afraid to speak up for fear the drinking or fighting will start again? 

10. Do you think the drinker's behavior is caused by you, other members of your family, friends or rotten breaks?

11. Do you make treats such as, "If you don't stop drinking and fighting, I'll run away? 

12. Do you make promises about behavior, such as I'll "get better grades, keep my room clean, or try anything, in exchange for a promise that the drinking or fighting will stop? 

13. Do you feel that if the drinker loved you, she or he would stop drinking? 

14. Do you ever threaten to actually hurt yourself to scare the drinker into saying "I'm sorry" or "I love you"?

15. Do you or your family have money problems because of someone else's drinking? 

16. Are you scared to ride in the care with the drinker? 

17. Have you considered calling the police because of abusive behavior? 

18. Do you avoid dating or having close friends because they may find out about the drinking or fighting? 

19. Do you think your problems would be solved if the drinking stopped? 

20. Do you ever treat teachers, friends, teammates, etc. unfairly because you're angry about someone else's drinking? 

If you have answered yes to any of these questions Alateen may help.

You can contact Alateen/Al-Anon by calling one of our local Al-Anon/Alateen Information Services located on this site, or by calling our World Service Headquarters at: 1-888-4AL-ANON (888-425-2666) 8am to 6pm ET, Monday through Friday.

Copyright Al-Anon/Alateen Family Group Headquarters, Inc.
©2000 Has your life been affected by someone else's drinking?  Alateen is for you! (S-20)