Confidential support meetings for friends and family of alcoholics are beginning inside the shelter of Grace Episcopal Church, at 20 Belvoir Ave. in Brainerd. These Alateen meetings, which moved recently to Grace from Hixson in order to be centrally located, are held the first and third Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m.
Al-Anon meets at the same time at Grace in a nearby room weekly. At Al-Anon and Alateen meetings, those touched by others’ alcoholism can share experiences and learn how to cope.
Al-Anon volunteers sponsor Alateen, but the groups are run by teens, for teens. Adult Al-Anon volunteers undergo background checks, training and certification.
“We protect everyone in the program’s anonymity,” said Al-Anon member Carol L. (last name withheld), an Alateen sponsor. “There are still biases against people that have these problems. We believe that alcoholism is a family disease, and that means everyone in the family is affected by it. Where young children and teens are concerned, there are dynamics in the home caused by the disease.”
She said teens could experience instability, confusion and feelings of being unsafe in the home as a result of their family member’s disease.
“In an alcoholic situation, children are unsure of what to count on,” said Carol. “As a result, kids will act out in school due to the home environment. Some kids will be aggressive.”
She said when youth enroll in Alateen they learn they are not alone, because lots of children experience the same home environment. They also learn how to take care of themselves in their situation.
“They learn what to do if someone in their family is drinking,” said Carol. “When there’s alcoholism in the family, relationships are a lot more difficult.”
Carol, who originally joined Al-Anon 23 years ago to cope with a family member’s alcoholism, said through her membership she has learned to live her life in a healthy way whether someone in her family is drinking or not.
“I found a completely new way of living through the program,” she said. “I found a more harmonious life through Al-Anon. I learned how to have good, healthy relationships.
“[Al-Anon and Alateen members] all have that sense that we have support from people that understand and we don’t have to do this alone. You have other people to help you when you learn how to live differently.”