Key takeaway
Finding an Al-Anon meeting is simple, confidential, and free. Whether you are looking for an in-person meeting in your local community, an electronic Zoom group, or the official mobile app, here is how to find meetings across all formats.
Last updated: Sun Oct 04 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
When a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, family members often feel isolated, overwhelmed, and unsure where to turn. Al-Anon Family Groups offers free, confidential peer support where relatives and friends share their experience, strength, and hope.
Finding a meeting is straightforward. Today, thousands of Al-Anon meetings take place every day across the United States and globally—in local neighborhood meeting rooms, on Zoom video conferences, over telephone lines, and within the official Al-Anon mobile app. Here is how to find the right meeting for your schedule and comfort level.
1. Searching the Official In-Person Meeting Directory
The most direct way to locate an in-person group in your community is through the official World Service Office (WSO) search tool:
- Visit the Locator: Go to al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/find-an-al-anon-meeting/.
- Enter Your Location: Enter your city, state, or ZIP code.
- Review the Results: The locator displays meeting names, days of the week, times, physical street addresses, and map pins.
- Check Meeting Types:
- Open Meetings: Welcomes anyone interested in learning about Al-Anon, including students, professionals, and observers.
- Closed Meetings: Welcomes anyone whose life has been affected by someone else's drinking (the vast majority of meetings).
- Beginners / Newcomers: Features an introductory session 30 minutes before the regular meeting to explain Al-Anon basics.
2. Contacting Your Local Intergroup (AIS)
In almost every major metro area and county, local groups band together to run an Al-Anon Information Service (AIS) or Intergroup Office.
- What They Do: Local offices maintain up-to-the-minute meeting lists (including temporary holiday room changes), answer questions over the phone, and carry official conference-approved books and daily readers.
- How to Find Them: Check the Al-Anon Worldwide Contacts Directory or search online for "Al-Anon Intergroup [Your City/County]".
- Helpline Phone Support: Al-Anon operates a toll-free meeting information helpline at 1-888-4AL-ANON (1-888-425-2666), open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM ET.
3. Finding Virtual and Online Meetings (24/7)
If you have mobility constraints, lack reliable transportation, or have caregiving duties at home, virtual meetings provide immediate access to recovery:
- Zoom and Video Meetings: The Al-Anon Electronic Meeting Page lists video meetings around the clock. You can filter by language, day of the week, and meeting focus.
- The Official Al-Anon Mobile App: Download the official "Al-Anon Family Groups" app on iOS or Android. It features social feeds, private discussion boards, and daily scheduled audio meetings hosted directly within the app.
- Telephone Meetings: For voice-only participation, dial-in bridge meetings operate daily across the country.
For an in-depth guide on what to expect during a Zoom meeting, read our guide to Al-Anon Meetings Online.
4. Alateen Meetings for Teenagers
If you are a parent or guardian looking for support for a teenager, Alateen is Al-Anon's specialized fellowship for youth ages 12 to 18:
- Fellowship for Teens: Alateen gives young people a safe, peer-led environment to share their feelings about living with an alcoholic parent, sibling, or caregiver.
- Safety and Supervision: Every Alateen meeting is attended by certified adult Al-Anon Members in Alateen Service (AMIAS) who have completed background checks and safety training.
- How to Find Alateen: Use the Official Alateen Meeting Search or check the Al-Anon Mobile App, which hosts secure virtual Alateen meetings.
5. What Fellowship is Right for You?
- If you are affected by a loved one's alcohol use: Al-Anon is your dedicated home.
- If your loved one primarily struggles with narcotics, prescription opioids, or illicit drugs: Nar-Anon is a sister Twelve-Step fellowship dedicated specifically to narcotics addiction, though Al-Anon warmly welcomes families dealing with all chemical dependencies.
- If the person with addiction wants help for themselves: Direct them to Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) or Narcotics Anonymous (N.A.). Al-Anon is exclusively for the family member's healing, not the drinker's treatment.
Combining Family Recovery with Professional Treatment
While Al-Anon provides essential emotional recovery for relatives, active addiction often requires clinical intervention. If your loved one expresses a desire to stop drinking or using drugs, medical detox and professional rehab may be medically necessary:
- Explore Treatment Options: Browse our 50-State Addiction Treatment Directory to find accredited detox, residential rehab, and outpatient programs.
- Speak with a Specialist: Call or text our 24/7 confidential helpline at (800) 653-9376 to check health insurance coverage and locate available treatment beds in your area.
Additional Resources
Sources cited on this page:
- Al-Anon Family Groups: Find an Al-Anon Meeting
- Al-Anon Family Groups: Electronic Meetings List
- Al-Anon Family Groups: Worldwide Contacts and Information Services
Common Questions
Where can I search for local in-person Al-Anon meetings?
Use the official Al-Anon Family Groups meeting locator at al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/find-an-al-anon-meeting/. You can enter your ZIP code, city, or address to see all registered meetings in your area, including meeting times, physical addresses, and map directions.
What is an Al-Anon Information Service (AIS) or Intergroup?
An AIS or Intergroup is a local volunteer service office operated by Al-Anon members in major cities and counties. They publish local printed meeting directories, answer telephone inquiries from newcomers, and stock official conference-approved literature.
Can I attend an online meeting if there are no groups near me?
Yes. Al-Anon has thousands of electronic meetings running 24/7 on Zoom and the official Al-Anon Family Groups app. You can attend any electronic meeting worldwide regardless of where you live.
What is Alateen and how do teenagers find a meeting?
Alateen is a fellowship within Al-Anon specifically tailored for teenagers (ages 12 to 18) whose lives have been affected by a parent, sibling, or family member's drinking. Alateen meetings are facilitated by certified adult Al-Anon members (AMIAS) and are listed on the official Alateen meeting search.
How much does it cost to attend an Al-Anon meeting?
There are no dues or fees to attend Al-Anon or Alateen. Groups are entirely self-supporting through voluntary member contributions, and newcomers are encouraged not to contribute.