For the Media/Press Release

Helping Young=20 People Cope with Alcoholics

Alcoholism is a=20 worldwide issue, causing problems not only for the drinker but for = everyone else connected with that person as well.

There are = more=20 than 18 million alcoholics in the United States and Canada alone, = many of=20 them with children troubled by their parents=92 drinking. Often, = these young=20 people have nowhere to turn for help.

This is where Alateen = comes=20 in. Alateen is fellowship of young relatives and friends of = alcoholics who=20 come together to discuss their difficulties, encourage one = another, and=20 learn how to cope with their problems. These young people are = often=20 introduced to Alateen by concerned friends, neighbors, school = counselors,=20 and clergy.

Alateen is part of the Al-Anon Family Groups = which=20 helps those whose lives have been affected by someone else=92s = drinking.=20 Alateen members learn that compulsive drinking is a disease, an = incurable=20 illness which they did not cause, cannot cure nor = control.

One of=20 the most important lessons Alateen teaches is how to detach = oneself=20 emotionally from the drinker=92s problems while continuing to love = the=20 person.

Like Al-Anon, Alateen is based on the Twelve Steps = of=20 Alcoholics Anonymous which members discuss and apply to their own=20 attitudes and relationship with others. This can help the Alateen = member=20 develop strength to deal with problems maturely and=20 realistically.

Alateen members meet in church halls, school = rooms,=20 or other suitable places, often in the same building as an Al-Anon = group=20 but in a separate room. What is said there and who attends the = meetings=20 are held in the strictest confidence.

With anonymity the = watchword,=20 Alateen members share their experiences, strengths, and = hopes.

=93I=20 used to get so angry all the time. It just made me feel like a = crazy=20 person,=94 said one Alateen member.

=93I=92d want to grab = somebody and=20 squeeze the life right out of them. Then somebody in one of my = Alateen=20 meetings suggested that we try safe ways to express our = anger.

=93I=20 didn=92t even know there were safe ways to be angry. He suggested = that when=20 I got real mad at somebody I could try writing their name on the = bottom of=20 my shoe. Then, I could spend the whole day walking on them. It=20 works.=94

The Alateen program has worked for the tens of = thousands of=20 youngsters who meet in over 2,300 groups worldwide. Call = 888-425-2666 for=20 meeting information or refer to your local telephone directory. = Visit the=20 Al-Anon/Alateen web site at = <www.al-anon.alateen.org>.

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