One member, Barb M., relates that the thing she was most relieved about was the non-imposing feel that she got when she first began attending meetings. The chairperson asks if any newcomers or first-timers are attending the meeting who would like to introduce themselves by their first name. You may or may not be one of them as this is an option and not mandatory. Proof of attendance at meetings is not part of A.A.’s procedure.

Beginners’ AA Meetings

The members of each meeting decide when, where, and how often they will meet. Often, the next step is to read a passage from the Big Book and reinforcement about the importance of member privacy and anonymity. Meetings typically close with a prayer, moment of silence, recitation of the Responsibility Statement, or by reading a section of another A.A. Meetings are opened by the chair, with some meetings then calling for recitation of the Serenity Prayer or a moment of silence.

Meeting Format

Members share their experiences, strength, and hope to help each other stay sober and improve their lives. We are united by a common problem; – alcohol. Through meetings and talking with other alcoholics we are somehow able to stay sober. We lose the compulsion to drink which was once the dominant force in our lives. AA utilizes a 12-step recovery model that focuses on applying specific principles as people work toward sobriety.

Sometimes a referral source asks for proof of attendance at A.A. The nature and extent of any group’s involvement in this process is entirely up to the individual group. Speaker meetings often are open meetings. Meetings are held in-person, online, or on the telephone.

Melody is here to help as you adjust to a life with less (or no) alcohol. No, you don’t have to identify yourself as an alcoholic if you’re uncomfortable doing so. While many members do introduce themselves this way, it’s not mandatory, and you can choose to simply listen if that feels more comfortable. You’re sitting on the bus, clutching a Xerox-copied brochure with a highlighted address. It’s a church basement (go figure — at least that part lives up to the stereotype).

Feeling a little nervous about going to your first AA meeting is normal! Learning more about how meetings work and what happens during a meeting can help you feel more comfortable. Each meeting is different but may focus on sharing personal experiences, discussing different steps of AA, or listening to scheduled speakers. At both types of meetings, it may be requested that participants confine their discussion to matters pertaining to recovery from alcoholism. There are a variety of formats for A.A. Meetings and each meeting takes on the feel of their local area.

It is probably safer to confide in your sponsor or a trusted friend when getting feedback about some issues. Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) is an international program focused on supporting people during alcohol recovery, with a goal of helping them achieve and sustain sobriety. Meetings cost nothing to attend and are available almost everywhere. 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. Be of service by sharing your experience, strength and hope with fellow alcoholics, new and old, around the world.

Research suggests that attending meetings can lead to positive outcomes for many AA participants. Meetings welcome attendees from court programs and treatment facilities. 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.

The Big Book, the Twelve Steps, and the Twelve Traditions

Once the prayer is over, the meeting ends. inspiring recovery quotes Just as in the movies, everyone responds with, “Hello (first name)!” After they complete their “story” everyone in the room thanks them. You may choose to speak at your first AA meeting, or you might opt to simply observe and listen. This can help take the pressure off during your first meeting, giving you time to get more comfortable and familiar with how meetings work.

1. Meetings are held in-person, online, or on the telephone.
2. While many members do introduce themselves this way, it’s not mandatory, and you can choose to simply listen if that feels more comfortable.
3. The book Alcoholics Anonymous describes the A.A.
4. This can help take the pressure off during your first meeting, giving you time to get more comfortable and familiar with how meetings work.
5. But even those men and women finally came to the point where they realised that alcohol was interfering with normal living.

You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with our licensed Reframe coaches for more personalized guidance. The Reframe app equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to not only survive drinking less, but to thrive while you navigate the journey. Our daily research-backed readings teach you the neuroscience of alcohol, and our in-app Toolkit provides the resources and activities you need to navigate each challenge. AA is not a religious organization, but it does include references to a “higher power” in its 12 Steps. This higher power can be interpreted in many ways, and you do not need to have a specific religious belief liberty caps identification to benefit from AA.

These meetings are a great way to gain a deeper understanding of what the book means and how others relate to it. Other studies have analyzed the effectiveness of peer support, in general, during substance use recovery and found that it contributed to a variety of improved outcomes. Outcomes were also improved for individuals with co-occurring substance use and mental health issues. 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. A.A.’s primary purpose is to help alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

How Long Do AA Meetings Last?

Within our membership may be found men and women of varying age groups and many different social, economic and cultural backgrounds. Some of us drank for many years before coming to the realisation we could not handle alcohol. Others were fortunate enough to appreciate, early in life or in our drinking careers, that alcohol had become unmanageable. Your primary care physician or mental health professional can help you find a local 12-step meeting. You can also search for a meeting in your area the old-school way by looking up AA in the white pages of your local telephone book and calling the number for information on meetings in your area. does water flush alcohol out of urine Each person who attends AA is unique, but they share a common goal of wanting to address their problem with drinking.