Teachers

Teachers are often the first to become aware of students affected by drinking in the family home.

The minimum age requirement for attending Al-Anon meetings is 18. Alateen is for young people 12 to 17 years inclusive.

Signposting students to Al-Anon Family Groups or Alateen can help them to find support and free them to focus on their academic work.

Alcoholism is a family disease and it can leave young students feeling they don’t have a safe and secure home that is conducive to study.

Are you concerned about the home life of one of your students?

Has a student openly admitted to being upset or disrupted by another person’s drink problem? Perhaps a student has been struggling with their performance and you suspect there is alcoholism in their home.

By signposting them to Al-Anon or Alateen, they could find the support and hope they need to turn things around.

Free, anonymous support for students affected by another’s drinking

Al-Anon meetings are free to anyone over the age of 18 and all members will protect the anonymity of any students attending. Should they decide to talk about their problems, everything they say will be treated as confidential.

Supporting your pastoral care programme

Al-Anon meetings can support student pastoral care programmes, providing a safe space where students can talk openly in confidence or just sit and listen to those who may be experiencing similar problems. Showing the way to Al-Anon or Alateen may help students receive the support and strength needed to improve their situation and academic performance.

Alateen

Alateen meetings are for 12-17 year olds. By attending Alateen meetings, young people gain an understanding of the illness and feel the benefits of realising they are not alone. They learn that they did not cause this problem and that they are not responsible for their relative’s or friend’s drinking or behaviour.

For information about Alateen meetings in England, call the General Service Office on 020 7593 2070 (10am-5pm Mon-Fri)

Do you need more information?

Al-Anon provides a number of ‘open’ meetings. These extend a welcome to teachers, senior school staff and other professionals. Open meetings help professionals to truly understand how Al-Anon works so that they can signpost people with confidence.

Is a student or family member’s drinking affecting you?

If a student, colleague or family member’s drinking is having a negative impact on your life, please come along to one of our meetings to find out if Al-Anon members can support you through your problems.

Email Al-Anon at enquiries@al-anonuk.org.uk for more information.