Alcoholism: Resources for Family and Friends

Are you affected by a loved one’s drinking? This sheet tells you about resources to help you cope with this problem.

Man talking in a support group of five people.

Al-anon and alateen

Al-Anon is a self-help program. It is for adult family and friends of people with alcoholism. Alateen has the same support for teenagers. These are no-cost support groups. The program is based on Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). To find a meeting, you can contact them online or by phone at:

  • www.al-anon.alateen.org

  • 757-563-1600

Adult children of alcoholics (ACA)

This group helps people who grew up in a home with a parent or primary caregiver with alcoholism. It can help you get past harmful thoughts and behaviors that are the result of this. To find a meeting, you can contact them online or by phone at:

  • www.AdultChildren.org

  • 310-534-1815

Other resources

There are many resources to help you cope. These include:

  • Professional care facilities and providers

  • Self-help groups 

  • Referral services

  • You can also seek the help of a professional who works with families. You may learn about ways to help a family member who refuses treatment. 

To find these and other sources of help, try the websites below. 

Helpful websites

  • National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Addiction  
    www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health

  • National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) 
    www.ncadd.org

  • Alanon and Alateen

    www.al-anon.alateen.org/S17web.html 

  • Alcoholics Anonymous

    www.aa.org

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