Al-Anon an Alateen are international organizations with a membership of more than half a million men, women and teens, providing a twelve-step program of recovery for friends and family members of alcoholics. Al-Anon is for adult friends and family members of alcoholics whereas Alateen is for children and friends (ages 12 to 20) of alcoholics. Al-Anon was formed in 1951 by Lois Wilson, wife of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) co-founder Bill Wilson. She recognized the need for such an organization as family members living with AA members began to identify their own pathologies associated with their family members' alcoholism. Al-Anon is organized as a 501(c)(3) organization in many states. In Lois's Story, she explained why, as the spouse of an alcoholic, she also required treatment.