ALATEEN: A Family-Oriented, Mutual-Support Group Intervention for Adolescents Impacted by Alcohol Abuse
Alateen is a family-oriented, mutual-support group intervention that has been developed to help adolescents who are impacted by alcohol abuse in their family. It is a part of Al-Anon, a fellowship for people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. Alateen is designed to assist adolescents struggling with the effects of a loved one’s drinking and to provide them with a safe and supportive environment for sharing their experiences and learning more about alcohol abuse.
Alateen is not a therapy-based intervention, but rather a mutual-support group. The focus of the group is to provide a place for adolescents to share their experiences, learn about alcohol abuse, and receive support from their peers. The goals of Alateen are to help adolescents understand and cope with growing up in a family impacted by alcohol abuse, to accept the alcoholic person in their family, and to develop a healthier sense of self and resilience.
Alateen meetings are facilitated by an adult Al-Anon member, known as a Group Sponsor, who has successfully used the Al-Anon program in his or her own life. The Group Sponsor’s role is to create a safe and supportive environment in which adolescents can share their experiences and receive the support and guidance they need. Alateen meetings are typically structured to include a discussion of a pre-selected topic or an open discussion format, followed by a period of sharing. There is also usually a period of time set aside for group members to practice the Alateen program steps.
Research on Alateen has shown that it can be an effective intervention for adolescents impacted by alcohol abuse. A study conducted by Johnson and colleagues (2003) found that Alateen was associated with significant improvements in adolescents’ psychological functioning and family functioning. Additionally, research has found that Alateen can help adolescents develop a more positive sense of self and greater resilience (Johnson, 2004).
In conclusion, Alateen is an effective intervention for adolescents impacted by alcohol abuse in their family. It provides a safe and supportive space for sharing experiences, learning about alcohol abuse, and receiving support from peers. Research has shown that Alateen can help adolescents develop a healthier sense of self and greater resilience.
References
Johnson, J. S., Riley, E. P., & Johnson, C. L. (2003). The impact of Alateen on adolescents from alcoholic families. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 24(1), 59-67.
Johnson, C. L. (2004). Alateen: A family-oriented approach to adolescent recovery from alcoholic family systems. Journal of Addictions Nursing, 15(2), 73-81.