Narateen FAQs

What is Narateen?

Narateen is a part of the Nar-Anon fellowship and is primarily for teens who know or have known a feeling of desperation concerning the addiction problem of someone very near to them. The principles that apply in the Nar-Anon fellowship, such as honesty, trust, confidence, safety, and anonymity, also apply to Narateen as do the Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions and Twelve Concepts of Service.  

 What is a Narateen Group?

Narateen groups provide support to teenage family members and friends of addicts.  A Narateen group is a safe environment where teenagers can share and work on their recovery.  Adult Facilitators who have been certified and registered with the World Service Office (WSO) guide and share their experience, strength and hope.  

Members share their experiences, strength, and hope at weekly meetings, which are usually held at locations such as schools, hospitals, juvenile centers and other professional settings.  Narateen meetings may also be held virtually.

What are Narateen Facilitators?

Any active Nar-Anon member who regularly attends meetings is welcome to become a Narateen facilitator. It is required that every Narateen group have at least two facilitators.  Certification includes successful completion of a background check that complies with local legal requirements. Although relatives and legal guardians of teens may serve as Narateen facilitators, it is suggested that a facilitator not be a relative or legal guardian of a Narateen member in the same group, as members of the group may feel uncomfortable speaking freely and openly. 

What Age Group Is Narateen?

It is suggested that Narateen membership begins at the age of 13. Narateen groups may allow pre-teens to attend based on group conscience, however, family members below teen years may not be ready for the Narateen program.  Continued participation is permissible up to the age a person is considered an adult in the country in which they reside. Once becoming an adult, they may attend Nar-Anon meetings.

• By group conscience and under the guidance of the adult facilitators, it is within the autonomy of a Narateen group to make age exceptions for their members in accordance with local safety and policy guidelines.

What Can I Do to Help My Children?

Addiction is a family disease.  It is also important to understand that teenagers may be more aware and more affected by the addiction of others than adults may realize.  Parents, guardians, and other concerned adults can help by:

• Finding a recovery program for themselves

• Not dismissing their children’s concerns or feelings

• Allowing them to be heard in appropriate settings, which would include

• Narateen group meetings

• Purchasing Narateen Conference Approved Literature (CAL) from the World Service webstore at Narateen Resources or at the Narateen Webstore

How Can Narateen Help?

Through group meetings, young people learn from each other how to recover while gaining some peace of mind and hope for a better way to live. Members help one another by sharing their experiences, strength, and hope.

Are There Dues or Fees?

Meetings are free. All donations are voluntary. Nar-Anon/Narateen is supported by members’ voluntary contributions and from the sale of our Conference Approved Literature.

• Established Nar-Anon regions, areas, or groups may consider supporting a Narateen meeting until it can be self-supporting. Options for financially supporting the group could include:

o A line item may be added to a Nar-Anon region, area, or group’s annual budget

o Helping teens organize fundraisers

o Encouraging teens to discover creative alternatives, such as volunteering in the community in lieu of expenses such as rent

o Donating Narateen-approved literature to Narateen groups

How Do I Find a Narateen Meeting?

Narateen groups can be found on our website at Find a Narateen Meeting page or by calling the Nar-Anon World Service Office (WSO) at (800) 477-6291 (toll-free).

What If There Is No Narateen In My Area?

Nar-Anon members interested in starting a Narateen meeting should contact their regional service committee or the World Service Narateen Committee at narateen@nar-anon.org for more information.

• Please review, How To Start a Narateen Group page for more information.

What Materials Are Available for Narateen Members, Facilitators, and Groups? 

Available Narateen recovery literature can be found at Narateen Resources page.

Along with Nar-Anon conference approved literature, Narateen groups presently use Alateen materials as new Narateen literature is being developed.  As members read or study Alateen literature, they change the word alcoholism to addiction, drinking to using, and alcoholic to addict. Refer to nar-anon.org/narateen for information about Narateen Materials.