We welcome you to the official Vermont Area Al-Anon and Alateen website.
Al-Anon/Alateen is a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength, and hope in order to solve their common problems. We believe that alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery.
Meetings are free, anonymous, and confidential.
No advance notice is needed – you are welcome!
A member shares: “My First Meeting”
It was my first Al-Anon meeting. I was scared because I didn’t know anyone. I was terrified that someone would know me. I never said a word during the whole meeting. I have only one memory from that first meeting. After a continuous barrage of invective from the alcoholic about how his drinking was all my fault, I heard these words: “You did not cause the drinking; you cannot control it; and you cannot cure it.” Those words became my mantra. Over and over, with each repetition, I felt lighter and lighter. I felt I was shedding the weight of my world.
On the way home, I needed to stop at the grocery store—my “cover” excuse for going out that evening. As I gripped the handle of the grocery cart, I had a vision of myself floating above the aisle. It felt as though that grip was the only thing keeping me from floating away. I had found hope! I knew I would be coming back to Al-Anon.
By Ellen V., Arkansas, The Forum, January 2024
Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA. Order forms for The Forum magazine can be found at the end of the Literature Order Form on this website (Literature tab) or at https://al-anon.org/
New to Al-Anon?
Take a look at a brief video (available in English, Spanish, and French) about what Al-Anon has to offer. If you’d like to speak to an Al-Anon member, call our answering service (866-972-5266), and an Al-Anon member will call you back.
Is Al-Anon for you?
Our 20-question self-quizzes can help you decide. Click on a quiz below, and ask yourself the questions.
Are you troubled by someone’s drinking?
Did you grow up with a problem drinker?
If you’d like to try out an Al-Anon meeting in the Vermont Area, see our listings by day-of-the-week and by location. You may also want to check out Al-Anon’s World Service electronic meetings.
Is Alateen for you?
Alateen is a fellowship of young Al-Anon members, usually teenagers, whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. You can use these 20 questions to help you decide whether Alateen is for you. You can also learn more about Alateen here and on our Alateen webpage.
Face-to-face Alateen meetings in Vermont are temporarily cancelled, but Alateens can now attend virtual meetings — check out when and how! And Alateens are always welcome at all Al-Anon meetings.