Anonymous 
Many times I do not want to make the effort to attend 
the Alateen meeting, but after the 
meeting gets started, I’m always glad 
I’m there. Each time I attend a meeting, 
I learn something about myself. I 
discover how I am working or not 
working my program. Hearing others 
share how they are living with the disease 
of alcoholism and applying the principles 
of the program in their lives 
reminds me that I have choices and 
that I don’t know everything. There 
will always be more to learn about life, 
recovery, loving myself, and my 
Higher Power. Alateen helps me 
open my ears, my heart, and 
my mind. 
visit us at www.al-anon.alateen.org 
Alateen Talk ISSN#1054-1411 is a publication printed quarterly. Subscriptions to this publication: individual-$2.50 per year, multiple rate-$7.50 per year for 10 copies. 
The Alateen membership from all over the world shares their experience, strength, and hope through the written words of Alateen Talk. Their sharings relate to their personal 
lives, how their Alateen group is functioning, and ways in which to carry the Alateen message to young people who are still suffering from someone else’s drinking. 
Sharings may be sent to Alateen Talk, AFG Inc., 1600 Corporate Landing Parkway, Virginia Beach, VA 23454-5617 or by 
e-mail to WSO@al-anon.org or by fax to (727) 563-1655. 
ANONYMITY 
Anonymous 
My sister and I attend the same meetings. At first it 
was really hard for me to listen to her share and not 
say anything, especially if the sharing was about me. 
Now that I’ve been in the program longer and know 
about anonymity, I don’t have a problem with anything 
she says at the meeting or at conferences. I try to pretend 
in the meeting that I don’t know her so I can hear 
what she has to say in an objective manner. 
Remembering anonymity also allows me to share 
more freely about what happens in my home. 
EXCERPTS FROM VOLUME 41 NUMBER 4 
James 
He stares with those eyes full of pain 
The ones he tries to hide with alcohol 
He talks with such power, it scares me 
When he comes and picks on someone 
He sits and sleeps fading everything away 
Like his life means nothing but drinking 
He acts like we’re nothing to him 
I know deep inside somewhere, my dad is there. 
Anonymous 
When I have trouble with parents, 
school, or friends, I find it 
best to talk things out with my 
friends in Alateen. There have 
been several times when my 
Higher Power has helped me 
get through difficulties. I was 
having problems communicating 
with one of my closest 
friends. When I went to my 
meeting, Alateen members 
suggested that I give my 
problem to God. The next 
day my friend called and we 
worked things out. There have 
been times when I would fight with my mom and I would 
have so much pain and hurt that I would cry. After I gave 
my situation to my Higher Power and let go of things, I 
would feel all the hurt go away. 
USING STEPS IN EVERYDAY 
LIFE WORKSHOP 
Maria 
I am being raised by my grandmother. I grew up 
with three uncles who are alcoholics. Since I started 
Alateen I have changed a lot. I guess if I don’t do 
anything to help myself, nobody will. Alateen has 
helped me understand that I can’t change the alcoholics. 
I can accept the disease and help myself. 
Alateen is a place I can share about my problems and 
learn from other members of the group. Alateen 
helped make me become a better person; it changed 
the way I think. Alateen has given me hope and 
shown me how to think positive about things. 

IF IT’S BROKE DON’T FIX IT WORKSHO
P


Hope 

After many years of 

attempting to fix my family, 

I had to surrender. I could 

not fix them; the job was 

too big. I started to 

realize that the job 

was never intended to 

be mine. The best I 

could do to help 

those I so dearly 

loved was to open 

my heart to God and 

my eyes to the world 

around me. It was from 

doing this that I learned 

and grew. I have been able 

to love them and let them go. 


Casey 

If it’s broke, don’t fix it, 
It’s up to the alcoholic to decide 
Whether they want to float away 
Or whether they want to glide. 
The choice is theirs, don’t take it away. 

If it’s broke, don’t fix it, 

Let them do their job, 

For they’re the ones with the problem, 

Let go and Let God! 

It’s theirs to fix, not yours or mine 

One step at a time. 

Stephani 

Within the walls of Alateen, I can feel safe. I can be me, I don’t need to hide; out in the world, it’s different. When 
times get tough, remembering everything I learned in Alateen is difficult. Sometimes I think that Alateen doesn’t 
relate to anything besides the alcoholic. That’s when I have to remember the part of the Twelfth Step that says, “practice these principles in all our affairs”. I often think of the slogans “One Day at a Time,” “Let Go and Let God,” or 
“Keep It Simple” to keep things in perspective. 

Younger Members 
Brittany 

Things I can change: 


Control of myself.
My clothes.
My hairstyle.
My temper.
My friends.
My home attitude.
My school attitude.
My jewelry.
My favorite color.
My favorite animal.


Things I cannot change: 

Everything else. 

Anonymous 
As a newcomer, Alateen helped me 
understand that my father is an alco-
holic and that he wasn’t drinking 
because he was angry with me. 
Alateen helped me learn that I was-
n’t the only person living in an alco-
holic situation. 
Michelle 
In Alateen, I understand that I live in 
an alcoholic family. I love my family, but I 
don’t have to love their behavior. I 
need Alateen. 
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