Vivian Marlowe
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a global fellowship of individuals who support each other in their journey to sobriety by sharing their experiences, strength, and hope. AA meetings are held all over the world and are open to anyone who wants to address their problem with drinking. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. AA meetings are typically listed as open or closed. Open meetings are available to anyone interested in the program, while closed meetings are for members only or those who want to stop drinking. The meetings are usually led by a chairperson or leader who opens the meeting with a reading from AA literature, often from the Big Book or Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. Members are then invited to share their stories, but this is not mandatory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meeting format | In-person, online, or telephone |
| Attendees | Anyone interested in AA's program of recovery from alcoholism, non-alcoholics (for open meetings as observers), or AA members only (for closed meetings) |
| Meeting leader | An AA member serving as a "leader" or "chair" |
| Discussion topics | Derived from AA literature, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (Big Book), Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, As Bill Sees It, Daily Reflections, and from AA Grapevine |
| Speaker | One or more members selected beforehand to share their stories of drinking and recovery |
| Meeting duration | Typically 60 to 90 minutes, but can vary |
| Meeting frequency | Meetings can be found daily, weekly, or on specific days |
| Meeting location | Varies, could be a church hall, community center, or online |
| Meeting cost | Free, but a small collection may be taken to cover costs with no obligation to contribute |
| Anonymity | Anonymity is respected, and there is no pressure to share personal information |
| Group involvement | Voluntary, and members can choose their level of participation |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Meetings are informal, relaxed, and friendly
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings are informal, relaxed, and friendly. There is no obligation to speak at a meeting—you can simply take a seat and listen to the stories members tell about their drinking and recovery. If you want to talk, you can, and if you don't feel like it, that's fine too.
The meetings are free to attend, although a collection is usually taken at the end to cover the costs of the venue and refreshments. There is no obligation to contribute, but most people put in a dollar or two.
Meetings are open to anyone interested in AA's program of recovery from alcoholism. You can go to different meetings as often or as little as you wish, and your privacy and anonymity will be respected.
The meetings are conducted by AA members, who determine the format. Often, the meeting will begin with a reading from the "Big Book", *Alcoholics Anonymous*, and other AA literature, such as *Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions*. The discussion may then focus on matters pertaining to recovery from alcoholism.
To find a meeting, you can browse the directory of online meetings, where you can filter by day and type. You can also contact your local AA group to request a meeting list for your area.
Wood vs Ethyl Alcohol: What's the Chemical Difference?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
There is no obligation to speak, but members may share their stories
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a support group that helps people recover from alcoholism. The group is based on the idea of one alcoholic helping another. AA meetings are very informal, and there is no obligation to speak. Members are free to simply listen to the stories of other members about their drinking and recovery.
While there is no obligation to speak, members may share their stories if they wish to do so. The meeting usually begins with the chairperson reading the AA Preamble, followed by a group prayer, and then different members may read sections of AA literature, including the "Alcoholic Anonymous" book (commonly referred to as "The Big Book") and "Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions." The Big Book is also often used as a source for discussion topics, with frequently read portions including Chapter 5 ("How It Works") and Chapter 3 ("More About Alcoholism").
AA meetings are open to anyone interested in the program of recovery from alcoholism, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, income, or profession. There is no charge for attending an AA meeting, although a collection is usually taken at the end of each meeting to cover costs. Meetings are conducted by AA members, who determine the format of their meetings, and they may be held in a building connected with a church or a community center.
If you are interested in attending an AA meeting, you can browse the directory of online meetings to find a meeting in your local time zone.
Bourbon-Barrel Maple Syrup: Alcohol-Free, Rich Taste
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Meetings are free to attend, but donations are welcome
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings are free to attend, and anyone with a desire to stop drinking is welcome, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, income, or profession. You can just sit and listen to others talk about their recovery, or you can choose to share about your situation—it's completely up to you.
While AA meetings are free, donations are welcome. AA is a self-supporting organization, and donations help cover the cost of renting meeting spaces, printing literature, and other expenses. AA groups also use donations to support members who are struggling financially, as well as to fund larger initiatives, such as the annual International Convention.
There are several ways to donate to AA. Many meetings will have a collection basket or jar where members can place their donations. You can also donate directly to your local AA group or region, or to AA World Services, which supports the broader AA organization.
Donations to AA are tax-deductible in many countries, including the United States. AA is a non-profit organization, and all donations go directly back into supporting members and groups, as well as spreading the message of AA to alcoholics seeking help.
If you are interested in attending an AA meeting, you can find one near you by contacting your local AA chapter or by using the Meeting Guide app, available for iOS and Android smartphones.
Alcohol Poisoning: A Preventable Death Toll
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Meetings are held in community spaces and online
Community meetings are often held in buildings connected with churches or community centres. They begin with a reading from the AA Preamble by the chairperson, who will then lead a group prayer. Members will then read sections of AA literature, including the "Alcoholics Anonymous" book (commonly referred to as "The Big Book") and "Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions". Meetings usually end with a collection to cover the costs of renting the space and providing refreshments.
Online meetings are also available, with many taking place on Zoom. You can find a directory of online meetings and join by clicking the "Zoom" button on the meeting's page. Some meetings may require a password, which can usually be found in the meeting's description.
Whether in-person or online, AA meetings are conducted by AA members who determine the format of their meetings. It is not mandatory to identify yourself, but it may be helpful if you are attending your first meeting. Meetings are open to anyone interested in AA's program of recovery from alcoholism, and you are free to join a particular group or not join any group at all.
Rose Toner: Alcohol-Free Freshness?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Open meetings are available to anyone interested in Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a program that has been helping alcoholics recover for over 80 years. It is based on the simple foundation of one alcoholic helping another. AA members are available to provide meetings or information about AA upon request.
The best place to start getting involved is through an AA group. Participating in a group helps ensure that when a person reaches out for help, AA will be available. You can find an AA meeting near you by contacting one of the AA resources for a meeting list in that location and the surrounding area. There is also an app and a meeting guide available for iOS and Android smartphones to help people find AA meetings and resources near them.
Overcoming Alcohol Addiction in Bitlife: Strategies for Success
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a 12-Step recovery program that supports people struggling with alcohol misuse and addiction. AA meetings are usually held in-person, but can also be held online or over the phone.
You can find an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting near you by checking the Alcoholics Anonymous website or by downloading the Meeting Guide app, which is available for iOS and Android smartphones.
No, there is no signing up, no payment, and no appointment necessary. Your privacy and anonymity will be respected.
The meeting will consist of members telling their stories, but if you don't feel like talking, that's okay. The meeting will begin with the chairperson reading the AA Preamble and leading a group prayer. The chairperson will then ask if there are any newcomers who would like to introduce themselves, but this is not mandatory.
Open meetings are available to anyone interested in Alcoholics Anonymous' program of recovery from alcoholism, while closed meetings are for AA members only or for those who have a drinking problem and want to stop drinking.
