The experiences of children and young people living with an alcoholic or a recovering alcoholic can often go unheard. Alateen is a program which aims to address this silence, providing a safe space for young people to find support.
For every person that struggles with alcohol, there's an estimated 8 people in their lives who are impacted, including children.Helen Gillies, the CEO of support group Al-Anon Family Groups Australia, says the impact of problem drinking on children is often forgotten about.
"Often we'll see problems at school, problems in concentration, behavioural problems that seem out of character with the child's normal behaviour, attention problems, that sort of thing - and social interaction problems as well." Ms Gillies says the meetings teach young people about the choices they do have, and help them understand what they cannot control.
Attendees at Alateen meetings are encouraged to share experiences strength and hope with each other, and to discuss their difficulties. Stephanie was referred to Alateen as an eight-year-old as a child affected by her family member's drinking, and she attended Alateen meetings through her teen years. "I was able to speak with people that understood what I was going through so I didn't feel as helpless and hopeless. And one of the other principles of the program is very anonymous. So I knew that whatever I said there, regardless of whether the people in the meetings knew my family or not, that it wasn't going to be repeated. So I felt like I could say what I needed to say in a safe environment and get things off my chest, which, as a teenager was very helpful.
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