Newcomers

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Use this link to find meetings just for beginners.  Or, check out our 'Find A Meeting' page to find a meeting near you.  Try the Advanced Search menu if you want to find Virtual or Face to Face meetings.  

What is Al-Anon?

Al-Anon is a fellowship of people who have been affected by the alcohol abuse of a loved one. We meet regularly in small groups to absorb the strength and hope of others who have lived with alcoholism. We learn from the experience of others who have lived in similar situations.

Alateen meetings are the same as Al-Anon meetings except that Alateen is restricted to people under age 20 who live, or have lived, with someone who abuses alcohol. Alateen meetings include one or two Al-Anon sponsors.

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Suggested Al-Anon Preamble to the Twelve Steps

The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength, and hope in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery.

Al-Anon is not allied with any sect, denomination, political entity, organization, or institution; does not engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any cause. There are no dues for membership. Al-Anon is self-supporting through its own voluntary contributions.

Al-Anon has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps, by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics, and by giving understanding and encouragement to the alcoholic.

“Reprinted with permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA.” Suggested Preamble reprinted with permission from the Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27), © 1992, Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.