01/23/2026
“What does ‘take what you like and leave the rest’ mean to me? When I first came to [Alateen] meetings, I was under the impression that it meant I should take only what could be applied to my situation. I am an Alateen, but my first meetings were Al-Anon meetings. This means that my first meetings were with adults whose circumstances were very different from mine. There was no way I could apply their experience to my situation; it’s incomparable!
“Oh, how mistaken I was. I now understand ‘take what you like and leave the rest’ to mean I should take what I need. I try to understand people’s different situations and listen to what my Higher Power is trying to teach me through the gift of their voices.
“For example, I could listen to an adult speak about his or her child’s drinking. As a kid, I may not relate. I'm not a parent! However, if I stop listening, I won’t see the point. I'm listening to another family member of an alcoholic share their experience, strength, and hope in the program. It’s one of the most beautiful things in the world. How could I not try my best to learn from this gift?
“In every meeting, I remind myself to do my best to learn from someone's share. Whether they're a newcomer, a longtime member, an Alateen, an Al-Anon, or even a member of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) sharing in an open meeting, I believe my Higher Power brings me to that meeting room and provides me with the ability to hear that person’s hope, so that I can learn and grow.”
“Learning Through the Voices of Others,” “The Forum,” January 2026
Alateen is a twelve-step program for teenagers affected by the family disease of alcoholism. Find out more about the program:
🔺 https://al-anon.org/newcomers/teen-corner-alateen