About Meetings
Who is welcome?
Anyone affected by someone else’s drinking is welcome to attend any Al-Anon meeting. You don’t need to decide whether the person is or was an alcoholic, only that your life has been affected by their drinking.
Al-Anon Meetings are free, anonymous and confidential. Members and potential members don’t need an invitation. There is no one you need to call to make an appointment. All you need to do is show up and listen. A volunteer leads the meeting without being in charge of the meeting.
District 20 AFG offers it’s meeting list in an online format.
Anonymity in Al-Anon/Alateen
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of our program. It provides a safe place for members to share. We use first names and last initials only. We do not talk about the people we see nor do we repeat what we hear during or after meetings. We guard the anonymity of all Al-Anon / Alateen and AA members.
What are open (Family, Friends and Observers) and closed (Family & Friends Only) meetings?
All Al-Anon Family Group meetings welcome anyone who believes their life has been affected by someone else’s drinking, either today or in the past. An “open” Al-Anon meeting welcomes members and prospective members and allows attendance by people who are not families and friends of alcoholics but who are interested in learning about Al-Anon Family Groups.
Generally, Al-Anon group meetings are “closed,” limited to members and prospective members, giving them the freedom to share and listen to the experience, strength, and hope of one another on a confidential and anonymous basis. Look for the code “O” for open meetings, and “C” for closed meetings.
Many professionals in the medical, treatment, legal, and judicial systems, students, and others wish to learn about how Al-Anon may help their clients. To find out more about professional resources on our web page click here. Many Al-Anon meetings are open to the public, and anyone who wishes to learn about Al-Anon or Alateen may attend any Al-Anon meeting that is not labeled “C” (Closed). If you are a professional or student or otherwise have an interest in finding out about Al-Anon/Alateen, please identify yourself to the meeting prior to its start and ask if you may attend.
Why are all Alateen meetings ‘closed’?
Alateen is an Al-Anon program for young people in their teens. Alateen groups have two or more adult sponsors who assist them. Sponsors have passed a background check. Because teens need a place that is confidential, adults who are not sponsors cannot attend an Alateen meeting unless the group gives explicit permission. Therefore, all Alateen meetings are NOT open to observers. Any teen who qualifies for Alateen may attend any Al-Anon meeting. Some Alateen groups list ages lower than the teen years, allowing younger children to attend. To learn more about Alateen on our web page click here.
How are meetings held?
Al-Anon groups hold in-person meetings in houses of worship, schools, hospitals, libraries, and other civic buildings – any place where a group can afford the rent. Groups pay their own way, and they are not affiliated with the owner or operator of the building where they meet. Many groups meet online through video meetings or conference calls. Some meetings may be hybrid, meeting both online and in-person.