What to Expect at an A A. Meeting Alcoholics Anonymous

We hope this material will inspire interest and spread further understanding of A.A. The General Service Office Archives is dedicated to exploring A.A. Since formally opening in 1975, it has served both members of the A.A. Fellowship and the general public.

Offline or in-person meetings, often referred to as “brick and mortar” meetings, take place in physical locations, and some groups host hybrid meetings, enabling participants to attend either in person or virtually. We do not impose our experience with problem drinking on others, but we do share it when we are asked to do so. We know our own sobriety depends on connecting with other alcoholics. A.A.’s Twelve Steps are a set of spiritual principles. When practiced as a way of life, they can expel the obsession to drink and enable the sufferer to recover from alcoholism.

• Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
• They emphasize some of the events, individuals and works that shaped our beginnings.
• The strength of our program lies in the voluntary nature of membership in A.A.; however many of us first attended meetings because we were pressured to by someone else.

Is Alcoholics Anonymous Only For Alcoholics?

Within our membership may be found people of all ages and many different social, economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. Some of us drank for many years before coming to the realization we could not handle alcohol. Others were fortunate enough to appreciate, early in life or their drinking careers, that alcohol was already unmanageable. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. By Buddy TBuddy T is a writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism.

Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions ASL – Step Five

Unity emphasizes the importance of a strong support network, recovery is achieved by following the 12 steps, and service involves giving back to the community by helping others struggling with addiction. Although the strength of our program lies in the voluntary nature of membership in A.A., many of us first attended meetings because we were forced to, either by someone else or by inner discomfort. Educated us to the true nature of the illness…

• This will be done for you at the end of the meeting.
• AA’s Twelve Steps are a group of principles, spiritual in their nature, which, if practiced as a way of life, can expel the obsession to drink and enable the sufferer to become happily and usefully whole.
• These traditions help AA remain non-professional, self-sustaining, and inclusive, ensuring it continues serving individuals seeking sobriety without external influence.
• It’s also important to note that whether A.A.

What Is the Difference Between an Open and Closed Meeting in Alcoholics Anonymous?

A chairperson or facilitator, a long-term AA member with significant experience in the program, leads AA meetings. The leader ensures the meeting follows AA’s structured format, including readings from The Big Book, discussions of the 12 steps, and time for personal sharing. However, leadership is rotational, meaning no single person is in permanent authority, maintaining AA’s heroin addiction principle of equality among members.

• Our recovery is based on sharing our experience, strength and hope with each other, that we may solve our common problem; more importantly, our continued sobriety depends upon helping others to recover from alcoholism.
• Anonymity is vital in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) because it protects members’ identities, fosters openness, and ensures a judgment-free environment.
• Within our membership may be found people of all ages and many different social, economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.
• Concerns have been raised about its overall success rate, the perceived religious nature of its approach, and allegations of cult-like elements.
• There are no dues or fees for A.A.

What to Expect at an A.A. Meeting

Fellowship grew and spread overseas. Other historical resources are available in the A.A. Literature area of our website also. They emphasize some of the events, individuals and works that shaped our beginnings.

While AA has helped millions achieve sobriety, its success depends on active participation, meeting frequency, and individual motivation. The success rate of AA varies in individuals. Anonymity is vital in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) because it protects members’ identities, fosters openness, and ensures a judgment-free environment.

Attendance at “closed” meetings is limited to those who are alcoholic or think they may have a drinking problem. Members share their recovery experience with anyone seeking help with a drinking problem, and give person-to person services or “sponsorship” to the alcoholics coming to A.A. Program, as set forth in the Twelve Steps to recovery, offers the alcoholic an opportunity to develop a satisfying way of life free from alcohol. AA assists individuals struggling with alcoholism through mutual support, regular meetings, and adherence to the 12-step program.

• The role of a sponsor is crucial in the AA framework, as they mentor and assist sponsees in understanding and working through the 12 Steps of the AA program.
• According to a report by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) titled “The Effectiveness of Treatment” (1990), Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and similar 12-step programs provide structured social support.
• Because he is a member of a support group that stresses the importance of anonymity at the public level, he does not use his photograph or his real name on this website.
• The Big Book is the foundational text of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), published in 1939.
• For example, an intercity group of A.A.

The organization is self-supporting through member donations and literature sales. Its operations follow an “inverted pyramid” structure, allowing local groups significant autonomy. AA does not accept external funding or contributions. The Big Book is the foundational text of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), published in 1939. It contains the Twelve Steps and personal stories of recovery, providing guidance and inspiration for those seeking to overcome alcohol addiction.

Big Book Meetings

The authors also reported that these programs appear to be as effective as other alcohol treatment methods. AA conducts meetings in hospitals to provide guidance and support for patients with alcohol addiction as part of their treatment. While the 12 steps focus on personal recovery, the 12 traditions establish group stability, decision-making processes, and member relationships. These traditions help AA remain non-professional, self-sustaining, and inclusive, ensuring it continues serving individuals seeking sobriety without external influence.

How Can I Find and Participate in AA Meetings Near Me?

Also, the program is free and widely available, eliminating financial barriers to addiction support. AA meetings differ in format, with variations including personal storytelling, readings from the Big Book, and open discussions. While certain meetings may cater to specific demographic groups, attendance is generally open to anyone with a desire to stop drinking alcohol.