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2022-2025AL‑ANON/ALATEENSERVICE MANUAL AL‑ANON AND ALATEEN GROUPS AT WORK DIGEST OF AL‑ANON AND ALATEEN POLICIES WORLD SERVICE HANDBOOK AL‑ANON’S TWELVE CONCEPTS OF SERVICE AL-ANON WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE CHARTER 2003 ALATEEN MOTION FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
2022-2025Al‑Anon/AlateenService ManualThe 2022-2025 edition of the Al‑Anon/Alateen Service Manual(P-24/27) replaces any previous editions.Changes to sections of the Service Manual sometimes occurbetween editions, as a result of World Service Office proceduralchanges and Conference motions. The most recent edits are thenposted electronically as portions of the updated Service Manual. Tokeep track of these updates, a process for identifying subsequentversions of each edition and their changes has been adapted. Theversion number for each edition can be found on the back of thetitle page.Every Al‑Anon and Alateen member is encouraged to activelyuse and study this Manual. It gives a clear and concise picture of theAl‑Anon fellowship, its purpose and functions, and how it helps usto resolve group problems and maintain unity. Additional copiesmay be ordered from the WSO or from your Literature DistributionCenter. An electronic version is available at al‑anon.org.Those who wish to translate this Manual for use by Al‑Anon andAlateen groups worldwide may obtain permission by writing to theaddress on the back of the title page.Al‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.Al‑Anon/Alateen World Service Office, Virginia Beach, VA
The Al‑Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcohol‑ics who share their experience, strength, and hope in order to solve their commonproblems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes canaid recovery.Al‑Anon is not allied with any sect, denomination, political entity, organization,or institution; does not engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposesany cause. There are no dues for membership. Al‑Anon is self‑supporting throughits own voluntary contributions.Al‑Anon has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. We do this by prac‑ticing the Twelve Steps, by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics,and by giving understanding and encouragement to the alcoholic.Suggested Al‑Anon Preamble to the Twelve StepsFor information and catalog of literature write:Al‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.World Service Office for Al‑Anon and Alateen1600 Corporate Landing ParkwayVirginia Beach, VA 23454‑5617Phone 757‑563‑1600 Fax 757‑563‑1656al‑anon.org wso@al‑anon.orgAL‑ANON AND ALATEEN GROUPS AT WORKAl‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., 1964DIGEST OF AL‑ANON AND ALATEEN POLICIESAl‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., 1975WORLD SERVICE HANDBOOKAl‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., 1973AL‑ANON’S TWELVE CONCEPTS OF SERVICEAl‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., 1970Al‑Anon/Alateen is supported by members’ voluntary contributions and from the sale ofour Conference Approved Literature.This Manual is available in Spanish and French.All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introducedinto a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechani‑cal, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of thepublisher. Al‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., 1992Revised 2022Sections Approved byWorld Service ConferenceAl‑Anon Family Groupsv1P-24/27Printed in the USA
PrefaceQuestions pertaining to the Twelve Traditions and the TwelveConcepts of Service continually arise within our fellowship. Over theyears, four booklets were introduced to assist members in resolv‑ing specific situations. In 1992, the four booklets were combinedinto one and retitled Al‑Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P‑24/27). ThisManual reflects the collective experience of our membership in itsongoing effort to interpret the Traditions and Concepts of Service ina spirit of unity and harmony.Members seeking answers to specific questions of special situa‑tions may well find guidance within these pages. Each section hasits own purpose, author, and Table of Contents. The Index lists themany topics addressed throughout the Manual.To reflect new information and changing points of view, an onlineversion of the Manual is updated between printings as changes aremade. It can be found on the Members menu at al-anon.org.Al‑Anon/Alateen members may initiate revisions to the Manualat any time by making suggestions to their District Representative(DR), Area Delegate, or the World Service Office (WSO).For this 2022-2025 edition, the “Al‑Anon and Alateen Groups atWork” section is also being printed as a separate booklet (P‑24) as atool for groups in the hopes of making this important group infor‑mation available to more members worldwide.Al‑Anon DeclarationLet It Begin with MeWhen anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help,let the hand of Al‑Anon and Alateenalways be there, and—Let It Begin with Me.al-anon.org3
Table of ContentsPreface. 3Al‑Anon and Alateen Groups at Work. 5Digest of Al‑Anon and Alateen Policies .79World Service Handbook .137Al‑Anon’s Twelve Concepts of Service.178Al‑Anon World Service Conference Charter . 227Appendix: 2003 Alateen Motion from the Board of Trustees. . 232Index. 2354al-anon.org
Al‑Anon and Alateen Groups at Work“Al‑Anon and Alateen Groups at Work” provides a framework withinwhich each group can develop and grow. It offers basic information toall group members concerning the group structure and how it relates toother groups and Al‑Anon as a whole.Table of ContentsIntroduction . 8Suggested Meeting Outline. 9Suggested Meeting Readings.10Meeting Opening.10The Serenity Prayer.10Suggested Al‑Anon/Alateen Welcome.10Suggested Al‑Anon Preamble to the Twelve Steps. 12Suggested Alateen Preamble to the Twelve Steps. 12Our Three Legacies.13Twelve Steps.13Twelve Traditions—Al‑Anon.14Twelve Traditions—Alateen.15Twelve Concepts of Service.16General Warranties of the Conference. 17Suggested Al‑Anon/Alateen Closing.18Al‑Anon Declaration.19Optional Readings.19Reading on Anonymity.19Four Primary Ideas.21Three Obstacles to Success in Al‑Anon.21Understanding Alcoholism.21Understanding Ourselves.22History: Al‑Anon and Alateen.24Starting Al‑Anon Family Groups.26Spiritual Principles.26Benefits of Registering Groups with the WSO.27Considerations When Starting Either an Al‑Anon orAlateen Group.27Selecting a Day and Time to Hold the Meeting.27Finding a Location to Hold Group Meetings.28Naming the Group.28Designating Meeting Attendees.29Considerations When Starting an Al‑Anon Group.30Holding Beginners’ Meetings.30Registering Multiple Meetings.30al-anon.org5
Procedures for Starting an Al‑Anon Group.31Group Contact Information.31Current Mailing Address (CMA).31Group Email Address.32Phone Contact for the Public.32WSO Registration Process.32Initial Group Service Positions.33Considerations When Starting an Alateen Group.34Procedures for Starting an Alateen Group.34Alateen Meetings.36Basics for Group Meetings.37Membership.37Sharing in Al‑Anon/Alateen Meetings.37Welcoming New Members.38Anonymity.38Meeting Ideas.40Ideas for Occasional Meetings.42Supporting Group Growth.43Public Outreach in the Community.44Personal and Group Sponsorship.45Al‑Anon Personal Sponsors.45Service Sponsors.45Alateen Group Sponsors.45Alateen Personal Sponsors.46Group Business.46Group Records.46Group Business Meetings and Group Conscience.46Group Inventory.49Group Problems and Solutions.49Group Reports and Announcements.51Group Finances/Budget.52Considerations regarding Group Finances.54Group Bank Accounts.55Insurance.56When a Group Disbands.57Group Service Positions.57Suggested Duties of Group Officers/Leaders.57Resources for Members and Groups.60Al‑Anon Service Arm Websites.60The WSO Website (al‑anon.org).60Guidelines Relevant to Groups.61Newsletters/Timely Recovery Publications.62Literature and Service Materials.626al-anon.org
Structure of the Al‑Anon/Alateen Fellowship (Links of Service).63Groups.63Districts.64Al‑Anon Information Service (AIS/Intergroups).65Areas.67Area Assembly.67Area World Service Committee.67World Service Conference (WSC).68From the Group to the WSC.68World Service Office (WSO).69WSO Committees.70Basic Terms Used in Al‑Anon Service.72Groups.72Districts.74Al‑Anon Information Services/Intergroups.74Literature Distribution Centers.74Areas.74World Service.76International.76Note: Vertical lines in outer margins indicate where changes weremade to the content in this edition.al-anon.org7
Al-Anon and Alateen Groups at WorkIntroductionThe message of the Al‑Anon Family Groups, Al‑Anon and Alateen,is one of hope. It is the story of men, women, and children who oncefelt helpless, lost, and lonely because of another’s alcoholism. Al‑though Al‑Anon grew from a need expressed by family members ofAlcoholics Anonymous, Al‑Anon and Alateen offer help and hope tofriends and families of alcoholics, whether the alcoholic is still drink‑ing or not. While many of our members no longer maintain dailycontact with an alcoholic, they seek the mutual support Al‑Anonand Alateen groups offer.Al‑Anon is a unique fellowship that unites members of differentbackgrounds in an inspiring endeavor: helping themselves and oth‑ers to lead purposeful, useful lives by overcoming the frustrationand helplessness caused by close association with an alcoholic.Alateen (Al‑Anon for younger members) is a vital part of Al‑AnonFamily Groups. Young people seeking help with problems thatarise when alcoholism afflicts a parent, another close relative, or afriend, meet to exchange experiences and to gain an understandingof themselves and the alcoholic. This helps their own personal de‑velopment and can help stabilize troubled thinking resulting fromclose association with an alcoholic.“Al‑Anon and Alateen Groups at Work” explains how to start agroup, help it grow, and discover how other members have solvedproblems common to groups. (Note that in countries outside of theWorld Service Conference Structure, terms mentioned may vary ac‑cording to need.) The harmony and success of each group dependson shared responsibility, a warm spirit of fellowship, and individualself‑improvement.Today these men, women, and teenaged children have courageand confidence. They have found understanding and learned whatto do to help themselves—and this can indirectly help their alcohol‑ic relatives, loved ones, and friends, whether sober or not. Al‑Anonwill always be what we, its members, make it. In Al‑Anon, we believethat our benefits are measured by our willingness to share themwith others, for we know we can never give as much as we receive.8al-anon.org
Suggested Meeting OutlineThis format is included for your convenience. While not every groupchooses to plan its meeting in this way, many find a general outlinehelpful. Groups may use the blank spaces to insert information specificto the group.Suggested Al‑Anon/Alateen Welcome (page 10)Reading of Al‑Anon/Alateen’s Three Legacies (pages 13-17)Introductions (page 17)Al‑Anon/Alateen-Related Announcements, Reports (page 17)The Meeting Program (page 18)Passing the Basket (page 18)Suggested Al‑Anon/Alateen Closing (page 18)Other readings selected by the group conscience (pages 19-24)al-anon.org9Al-Anon and Alateen Groups at WorkMeeting Opening (page 10)
Suggested Meeting ReadingsThis format is printed for your convenience. While not every groupchooses to plan its meeting in this way, many find a general outline helpful.See also the pamphlet This Is Al‑Anon (P-32).Al-Anon and Alateen Groups at WorkMeeting OpeningMost groups open with a moment of silence followed by the Se‑renity Prayer.The Serenity PrayerChairperson: Will you join me in a moment of silence, followed bythe Serenity Prayer?God grant me the serenityTo accept the things I cannot change,Courage to change the things I can,And wisdom to know the difference.Suggested Al‑Anon/Alateen Welcome(choose “Al‑Anon” or “Alateen” as applicable)We welcome you to the Al‑Anon/Alateen FamilyGroup and hope you will find in this fellowship the help and friend‑ship we have been privileged to enjoy.We who live, or have lived, with the problem of alcoholism un‑derstand as perhaps few others can. We, too, were lonely and frus‑trated, but in Al‑Anon/Alateen we discover that no situation is reallyhopeless and that it is possible for us to find contentment, and evenhappiness, whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not.We urge you to try our program. It has helped many of us find so‑lutions that lead to serenity. So much depends on our own attitudes,and as we learn to place our problem in its true perspective, we findit loses its power to dominate our thoughts and our lives.The family situation is bound to improve as we apply the Al‑Anon/Alateen ideas. Without such spiritual help, living with an alcoholic istoo much for most of us. Our thinking becomes distorted by tryingto force solutions, and we become irritable and unreasonable with‑out knowing it.10al-anon.org
The Al‑Anon/Alateen program is based on the Twelve Steps(adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous), which we try, little by little,one day at a time, to apply to our lives, along with our slogans andthe Serenity Prayer. The loving interchange of help among membersand daily reading of Al‑Anon/Alateen literature thus make us readyto receive the priceless gift of serenity.At this point in the meeting, many groups have the Chairperson say ifthe group meeting has a special format (Step‑study, speakers, or discus‑sion group), has a specific routine for calling on members, asks mem‑bers of other anonymous fellowships to remain anonymous and focuson the Al‑Anon program, and clarifies if the meeting is for Families,Friends, and Observers (Welcome)* or for Families and Friends Only.**Members are also told how they can obtain Al‑Anon and Alateen Con‑ference Approved Literature.* This is a Families, Friends, and Observers Welcome meeting; we welcome visitorsseeking information about Al‑Anon, as well as newcomers and members ofAl‑Anon.** This is a Families and Friends Only meeting for Al‑Anon members andprospective members only. Anyone who believes they have been affected bysomeone else’s drinking is welcome. See also “Meeting Attendees.”al-anon.org11Al-Anon and Alateen Groups at WorkAnonymity is an important principle of the Al‑Anon/Alateen pro‑gram. Everything that is said here, in the group meeting and mem‑ber-to-member, must be held in confidence. Only in this way can wefeel free to say what is in our minds and hearts, for this is how wehelp one another in Al‑Anon/Alateen.
Al-Anon and Alateen Groups at WorkSuggested Al‑Anon Preamble to the Twelve StepsThe Al‑Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives andfriends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength, and hopein order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is afamily 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; nei‑ther endorses nor opposes any cause. There are no dues for mem‑bership. Al‑Anon is self-supporting through its own voluntary con‑tributions.Al‑Anon has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. Wedo this by practicing the Twelve Steps, by welcoming and givingcomfort to families of alcoholics, and by giving understanding andencouragement to the alcoholic.Suggested Alateen Preamble to the Twelve StepsAlateen, part of the Al‑Anon Family Groups, is for young peoplewho have been affected by alcoholism in a family member or friend.We help each other by sharing our experience, strength, and hope.We believe alcoholism is a family disease affecting everyone emo‑tionally and sometimes physically. Although we cannot change orcontrol the alcoholics in our lives, we can detach from their prob‑lems while continuing to love them.In Alateen we focus on our own program rather than outside is‑sues such as religion, politics, social media, or other Twelve Stepprograms. There are no dues for membership. Alateen is self-sup‑porting through its own voluntary contributions. Alateen has onepurpose: to help young people affected by someone else’s drinking.We are careful to protect each other’s anonymity as well as that of allAl‑Anon and A.A. members.By applying the Twelve Steps to ourselves, we begin to recoverfrom the effects of the family disease of alcoholism mentally, emo‑tionally, and spiritually. This allows us to encourage our alcoholicrelatives and friends, and to give hope to other teens.12al-anon.org
Many groups choose to have a member read one, or all, of the TwelveSteps, Twelve Traditions, and/or Twelve Concepts of Service.Our Three CONCEPTSThe threefold guides of Al‑Anon point the way to a normal, usefullife for the individual. They are also a framework within which thegroups can carry on their affairs in harmony.Twelve StepsBecause of their proven power and worth, A.A.’s Twelve Stepshave been adopted almost word for word by Al‑Anon. They repre‑sent a way of life appealing to all people of goodwill, of any religiousfaith or of none. Note the power of the very words.1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives hadbecome unmanageable.2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restoreus to sanity.3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care ofGod as we understood Him.4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being theexact nature of our wrongs.6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing tomake amends to them all.9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, exceptwhen to do so would injure them or others.10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrongpromptly admitted it.11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our consciouscontact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowl‑edge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, wetried to carry this message to others, and to practice these prin‑ciples in all our affairs.al-anon.org13Al-Anon and Alateen Groups at WorkRECOVERYTHROUGHTHESTEPS
Twelve Traditions—Al‑AnonAl-Anon and Alateen Groups at WorkThe Traditions that follow bind us together in unity. They guidethe groups in their relations with other groups, with A.A., and theoutside world. They recommend group attitudes toward leadership,membership, money, property, public relations, and anonymity.The Traditions evolved from the experience of A.A. groups in try‑ing to solve their problems of living and working together. Al‑Anonadopted these group guidelines and over the years has found themsound and wise. Although they are only suggestions, Al‑Anon’sunity and perhaps even its survival are dependent on adherence tothese principles.1. Our common welfare should come first; personal progress for thegreatest number depends upon unity.2. For our group purpose there is but one authority—a loving God asHe may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are buttrusted servants—they do not govern.3. The relatives of alcoholics, when gathered together for mutual aid,may call themselves an Al‑Anon Family Group, provided that, as agroup, they have no other affiliation. The only requirement for mem‑bership is that there be a problem of alcoholism in a relative or friend.4. Each group should be autonomous, except in matters affecting an‑other group or Al‑Anon or AA as a whole.5. Each Al‑Anon Family Group has but one purpose: to help families ofalcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps of AA ourselves,by encouraging and understanding our alcoholic relatives, and bywelcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics.6. Our Family Groups ought never endorse, finance or lend our name toany outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and pres‑tige divert us from our primary spiritual aim. Although a separateentity, we should always co-operate with Alcoholics Anonymous.7. Every group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside con‑tributions.8. Al‑Anon Twelfth Step work should remain forever non-professional,but our service centers may employ special workers.9. Our groups, as such, ought never be organized; but we may cre‑ate service boards or committees directly responsible to those theyserve.10. The Al‑Anon Family Groups have no opinion on outside issues; henceour name ought never be drawn into public controversy.14al-anon.org
11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than pro‑motion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the levelof press, radio, films, and TV. We need guard with special care theanonymity of all AA members.12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever re‑minding us to place principles above personalities.Our group experience suggests that the unity of the AlateenGroups depends upon our adherence to these Traditions.1. Our common welfare should come first; personal progress for thegreatest number depends upon unity.2. For our group purpose there is but one authority—a loving God asHe may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders arebut trusted servants; they do not govern.3. The only requirement for membership is that there be a problemof alcoholism in a
Virginia Beach, VA 23454‑5617 Phone 757‑563‑1600 Fax 757‑563‑1656 al‑anon.org wso@al‑anon.org . whether sober or not. Al‑Anon will always be what we, its members, make it. In Al‑Anon, we believe that our benefits are measured by our willingness to share them with others, for we know we can never give as much as we receive .
