Noah Vinter
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a global, peer-led fellowship that focuses on an abstinence-based recovery model from alcoholism. AA's program of recovery is built on the foundation of one alcoholic sharing their experiences with another. AA meetings are conducted by AA members who determine the format of their meetings, and they can be held in-person, online, or over the telephone. Speaker meetings feature one or more members selected beforehand who share their experiences, telling what we were like, what happened, and what we are like now.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meeting format | Open or closed. Open meetings are available to anyone interested in Alcoholics Anonymous’s program of recovery from alcoholism. Non-alcoholics may attend open meetings as observers. Closed meetings are for A.A. members only or for those who have a drinking problem and “have a desire to stop drinking.” |
| Meeting topics | Topics for discussion are selected by an A.A. member serving as “leader” or “chair”. Topics are often derived from A.A. literature, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (Big Book), Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, As Bill Sees It, Daily Reflections, and from AA Grapevine. |
| Speakers | One or more members selected beforehand "share" their stories, telling "what we were like, what happened, and what we are like now." Some groups prefer that members who speak have a minimum period of continuous sobriety. |
| Beginners | Usually led by a group member who has been sober for a while, these are sessions to help newcomers. |
| Anonymity | Members are advised to maintain anonymity, especially in the media. It is not mandatory to identify yourself, but it might be helpful if you are attending your first meeting. |
| Referrals | Groups may acknowledge attendance on a slip provided by the referral source or via digital methods for online groups. |
| Socializing | After the meeting, people gather and talk in a social setting. It is up to you if you want to stay and socialize. |
| Meeting locations | Meetings are held in-person, online, or on the telephone. In-person meetings can take place in a variety of locations, including churches, community centres, parks, or other outdoor settings. |
| International presence | AA is present in approximately 180 nations worldwide, with over 2 million members and 120,000 groups worldwide as of 2018. |
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What You'll Learn
Open and closed meetings
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings are typically listed as "open" or "closed". Open meetings are available to anyone interested in AA's recovery program, including non-alcoholics, who may attend as observers. Open meetings can be a good starting point for getting involved with AA.
At open meetings, speakers tell their stories of alcoholism, how they discovered AA, and how its program has helped them. Members may bring relatives or friends, and anyone interested in AA is welcome to attend as an observer. Open meetings often take the form of speaker meetings, where one or more members share their experiences.
Closed meetings, on the other hand, are for AA members only, or for those with a drinking problem and a desire to stop drinking. Closed meetings are intended for alcoholics who are committed to sobriety and are working the AA program. These meetings provide a safe and confidential space for members to share their experiences and support each other in recovery.
At both types of meetings, participants may be requested to confine their discussion to matters pertaining to recovery from alcoholism. The chairperson may make this request to ensure that the meeting stays focused on the purpose of AA, which is to help alcoholics recover. Whether open or closed, AA group meetings are conducted by AA members, who determine the format of their meetings. Meetings are held in various locations, including in-person, online, or on the telephone.
It is important to note that AA meetings welcome attendees from court programs and treatment facilities. The voluntary nature of AA membership is a key strength, and anyone with a desire to stop drinking is welcome to join. There are no dues or fees for membership or attendance, and AA has helped millions of alcoholics on the road to recovery.
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Anonymity
The AA website states that it is the problem drinker who is their concern, and they are not interested in who referred the individual to the group. This is to encourage members to attend without fear of judgement or exposure. The group also respects the anonymity of its members in other ways, such as by offering proof of attendance slips for those who need to provide evidence of attendance to a third party.
The group's literature, such as the "Big Book", also includes a statement about anonymity as a valuable privacy principle for new and long-time members. This is sometimes read out at meetings.
The World Service Meeting (WSM), an international forum for AA delegates to exchange ideas and experiences, also respects the group's principles of anonymity and non-promotion. For example, its first UK-wide advertising campaign did not include any logos, phone numbers, or links. Instead, it focused on subtle messaging such as "You Are Not Alone" and "Alcohol Isn't the Answer".
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The role of the speaker
In addition to sharing their story, speakers may also be involved in leading discussions or facilitating the meeting. They may help to select topics for discussion, often derived from AA literature such as the "Big Book", "Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions", or other AA-approved texts. Speakers can guide the conversation and ensure it adheres to the principles and format of AA, including maintaining anonymity and confidentiality.
Speakers also play a crucial role in the AA community by participating in various service committees. They can offer support and guidance to newcomers, providing a sense of welcome and encouragement. Speakers may also be involved in outreach activities, promoting AA and its programs to the wider community, and helping to dispel stigma and encourage those struggling with alcoholism to seek help.
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Group formats
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings are conducted by AA members who determine the format of their meetings. While AA offers pamphlets suggesting formats, groups have the autonomy to organize their meetings according to their preferences, as long as their decisions do not impact other groups or AA as a whole. AA meetings encompass a variety of formats, each designed to serve different needs.
- Open meetings: Open meetings are accessible to anyone interested in Alcoholics Anonymous' recovery program. Non-alcoholics may attend open meetings as observers. Open meetings may be particularly useful for friends and family members of alcoholics, or for individuals who are unsure if they have a drinking problem and want to learn more about AA.
- Closed meetings: Closed meetings are for AA members only or for those who have a drinking problem and "have a desire to stop drinking". A declaration that an individual has a desire to stop drinking cannot be questioned by other members.
- Speaker meetings: Speaker meetings often are open meetings. One or more members selected beforehand "share" their story, telling "what we were like, what happened, and what we are like now". Depending on the meeting's general guidelines (determined by the "group conscience"), some groups prefer that members who speak have a minimum period of continuous sobriety.
- Beginners' meetings: Usually led by a group member who has been sober for a while, these are sessions to help newcomers.
- Big Book meetings: Many meetings begin with a reading from the Big Book – frequently a portion of Chapter 5 ("How It Works") or Chapter 3 ("More About Alcoholism").
- Discussion meetings: Whether closed or open, an AA member serving as "leader" or "chair" opens the meeting using that group's format and selects a topic for discussion. Background for many topic meetings derives from AA literature, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (Big Book), Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, As Bill Sees It, Daily Reflections, and from AA Grapevine.
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The Twelve Steps
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a global, peer-led fellowship that focuses on an abstinence-based recovery model from alcoholism. It is based on the idea of one alcoholic helping another. The Twelve Steps are a suggested program of ongoing rehabilitation and self-improvement.
The first step involves acknowledging powerlessness over alcohol and recognising the unmanageability of life due to alcoholism. This is a crucial starting point for individuals seeking recovery, as it establishes a sense of humility and willingness to seek help. The second step emphasises the importance of seeking help from a higher power, often referred to as "God as we understood Him". This step recognises that recovery is not solely dependent on individual willpower but also on a spiritual power that can provide strength and guidance.
The third step involves making a decision to turn one's will and life over to the care of God as one understands Him. This step encourages individuals to surrender their struggles and trust in a higher power to guide their recovery journey. The fourth step is a rigorous honest self-appraisal, where individuals conduct a "searching and fearless moral inventory" of their character defects. This step involves deep introspection and honesty about one's shortcomings and the impact of alcoholism on their lives.
The fifth step involves sharing this inventory with a trusted person and God, admitting the exact nature of one's wrongs. By doing so, individuals release themselves from the burden of secrets and gain support and accountability. The sixth step is about readiness to have God remove character defects. This step recognises that recovery is a process of continuous self-improvement and character development.
The seventh step involves humility and asking God to remove shortcomings. Here, individuals acknowledge their limitations and seek spiritual assistance to overcome their character defects. The eighth step focuses on making a list of all individuals harmed by one's actions and becoming willing to make amends. This step encourages accountability and a desire to repair relationships damaged by alcoholism.
The ninth step is about making direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when doing so would harm them or others. This step promotes healing and reconciliation, helping individuals rebuild trust and foster forgiveness. The tenth step is an ongoing commitment to personal inventory and the admission of wrongs. This step emphasises the importance of continuous self-evaluation and taking responsibility for one's actions to prevent relapse.
The eleventh step involves seeking improved conscious contact with God through prayer and meditation, asking only for knowledge of His will and the power to carry it out. This step deepens the spiritual connection and provides ongoing guidance in recovery. Finally, the twelfth step is about having a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps and carrying this message to other alcoholics, practising these principles in all areas of life. This final step encourages individuals to pay it forward by helping others struggling with alcoholism, thus strengthening their own recovery.
These Twelve Steps provide a spiritual framework for ongoing recovery and self-improvement, empowering individuals to take responsibility for their actions and find strength in humility, honesty, and service to others.
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Frequently asked questions
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a global, peer-led fellowship focused on an abstinence-based recovery model from alcoholism. The Exchange Speaker Program is a type of AA meeting where one or more members share their experiences with the group.
The Exchange Speaker Program is a key component of AA's recovery model, where one alcoholic shares their experience with another. The speaker, selected beforehand, tells the group "what we were like, what happened, and what we are like now".
AA meetings are conducted by AA members, who determine the format of their meetings. Many meetings begin with a reading from the "Big Book", and some may include a statement about the importance of anonymity in AA. Meetings may be open (available to anyone) or closed (for AA members only or those with a desire to stop drinking).
AA meetings are held in-person, online, or over the telephone. You can find a directory of upcoming meetings online, including details of whether the meeting will be a "speaker" meeting.
