Fortunately, there are many different types of meetings for people from different backgrounds or with similar situations. The only way to know for sure whether A.A. May be a good fit is to attend a meeting. There are no dues or fees, so it doesn’t cost anything to try it out. 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.
The Alcoholic Foundation
A typical AA meeting lasts 60 to 90 minutes, although this may vary depending on the type and format of the individual meeting. Some meetings may be as short as thirty minutes, while others may be as long as two hours. You can often find a posted schedule that includes the expected duration of the meeting. What is the reality for most meetings? The meeting might be held in a building connected with a church or a community center. You arrive to find most of the people you see are there for the Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.
Press Play for Advice On Addiction Recovery
Outside of the room are a few folks making coffee and talking. Members of AA support one another by sharing their experiences, listening to one another, and providing tips for what has helped them on their recovery journey. It is the problem drinker who is our concern. Speaker meetings often are open meetings. Online and telephone meetings are also available. Various platforms are used depending on what the group members prefer.
This is a foundational principle of all types of AA meetings. Open meetings tend to include a formal speaker who shares their story. These meetings are also an excellent opportunity to learn more about AA and other 12-step programs, regardless of whether or not you want to participate in one. By far the most common type of AA meeting is called an ID meeting.
What Is An Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting Like?
Some may want to mentor others, while others want to observe and participate less. An AA meeting refers to an Alcoholics Anonymous support group meeting. Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who have experienced problems with drinking. Anyone who has a desire to do something about their drinking can join.
The meeting will consist of members telling their stories but if anyone isn’t in the mood to talk, it’s fine to decline. You may be invited to speak but it’s quite okay if you don’t want to. If, at some stage you want to join a particular group you just say so. If you don’t want to join any group, that’s okay too.
- You may be invited to speak but it’s quite okay if you don’t want to.
- As a result, the fellowship does not engage in controversy and does not endorse or oppose any causes.
- Meetings and each meeting takes on the feel of their local area.
- The AA program, known as The Twelve Steps, provides a framework for self-examination and a road to recovery, free of alcohol.
Effectiveness of AA
Learning more about what to expect in an AA meeting can help you feel more at ease and get more out of the experience. 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 A.A. Literature, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (Big Book), Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, As Bill Sees It, Daily Does Alcohol Thin Your Blood Effects and Impact Reflections, and from AA Grapevine.
There is no central authority controlling how AA groups operate. It is up to the members of each group to decide what they do. However, the AA program of recovery has proved to be so successful that almost every group follows it in very similar ways.
