The referred person is responsible for returning the proof of attendance. 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.
If you’d rather bring a loved one along who is not in recovery, find an open meeting. These meetings are open to those in recovery and anyone who supports them. If you have never attended an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting before, the idea of walking into a room full of strangers and sharing your story can be intimidating. Feeling anxious or overwhelmed before your first AA meeting is normal. Whether someone arrives from addiction treatment centers or on their own, the goal is to stop drinking and begin truly living. Through sharing with other members, many find clarity and hope relating to stories just like theirs.
Inside Aa Meetings: What To Expect And How To Prepare
The chair will often ask if there are any people new to A.A. Attending the meeting who would like to introduce themselves. It isn’t mandatory to identify yourself but it might be helpful if you are attending your first meeting. 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”). As a valuable privacy principle for new and longtime members might be read. Many meetings close with members joining in a moment of silence followed by a prayer, or perhaps by reciting the Responsibility Statement or other A.A.
Alcoholics Anonymous meetings provide a judgment-free space for people struggling with alcohol addiction. Its members support each other in maintaining sobriety. If you’re attending your first AA meeting, it’s completely okay to stay quiet.
There is no pressure to speak; individuals share only when they feel ready, and even then, they can choose to pass or simply listen. This voluntary nature ensures that everyone feels comfortable and in control of their participation. Finally, speaker meetings offer valuable insights into the principles and practices of AA. The speaker may reflect on lessons learned, such as the importance of honesty, patience, and perseverance. They might also share how they continue to apply the 12 Steps in their daily life, even years into sobriety. This practical advice can guide attendees in their own recovery efforts, providing a roadmap for personal growth and sustained sobriety.
- A closed meeting is designed for AA members, keeping in mind the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.
- The nature and extent of any group’s involvement in this process is entirely up to the individual group.
- That’s because people in long-term recovery remember exactly what it felt like to attend their first meeting—the nerves, the doubts, the hope.
- While AA certainly has spiritual components, you don’t have to be religious to attend and benefit from the meetings.
- Just as in the movies, everyone responds with, “Hello (first name)!” After they complete their “story” everyone in the room thanks them.
- Background for many topic meetings derives from A.A.
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By knowing what others have been through, you’ll get a more rounded idea of what AA meetings are like. The program emphasizes a higher power as each individual understands it, but there is no specific religious doctrine. The Central office, intergroup, or answering service numbers throughout the world are available on the AA World Services website. In larger cities, “where and when” booklets that list AA meetings throughout the week often exist. It isn’t required of anyone to do so but it keeps with the tradition of AA that when alcoholic calls for help, the helping hand of AA will be there.
Feel free to call us to speak with one of our counselors. We can inform you about this condition by giving you relevant information. Please know that each call is private and confidential. It’s not difficult to find an AA meeting regardless of where you live. Start by searching online for “AA meetings near me.” Depending on your settings, the search engine will return localized results.
- From here things may vary as there are different types of meetings.
- There is never any pressure to do anything but sit and listen though you will find that the format becomes intuitive.
- Some are video meetings where you see each other’s faces.
- Regardless of how they get there, AA members welcome anyone with a willingness to change.
The Addiction Cycle: Stages, Brain Mechanisms & How to Break Free
This emotional connection can strengthen attendees’ commitment to sobriety and encourage them to actively participate in their own recovery. The focus is on honesty and authenticity, as members are encouraged to speak from the heart without fear of criticism or ridicule. This openness helps build camaraderie and reinforces the shared goal of sobriety. When you do feel ready, you’ll find that even a simple introduction helps begin your connection to the group. Whether it’s during open meetings, closed meetings, or speaker meetings, sharing becomes more comfortable over time.
Every group exists to help people get better, and your presence reminds others why they continue. Walking into your first AA meeting can stir a lot of emotions—uncertainty, fear, even hope. From the moment you decide you’re attending, you’ve taken a step toward something meaningful.
Closing & Prayers: The Serenity Prayer is recited, followed by announcements and a moment of reflection
A central practice of AA is sharing experience, strength and hope. Members speak from the heart, offering pieces of their journey to encourage others. Walking into your first AA meeting can feel overwhelming, but understanding what happens at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings can ease the fear. If you have a desire to stop drinking, you’re not alone—many members once felt the same way. Here’s what you can expect when you take that courageous first step. After the announcements, the meeting pauses for a moment of reflection.
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If you go to a meeting and decide it doesn’t feel right for you, try another one. Every meeting is different, and it might take you a few tries until you find the meeting that matches your needs. If you ultimately decide that the 12 steps aren’t right for you, there are other alternative support groups that you can benefit from, such as SMART Recovery. So, don’t give up after one try, and always keep working on your what to expect at an aa meeting sobriety. There are many different types of meetings, and it’s important to understand what each one represents, so that when you choose your first meeting, you’ll choose one right for you. At the bottom of this article, there is a list of what certain types of AA meetings offer.
Phone, Video, or Live-Chat Support
Luckily, there are rules in place that discourage participants from offering advice or sharing their opinions about someone else’s life. Some make the argument that even positive comments could lead to a slippery slope of neutral and negative statements over time. So, it’s best to eliminate crosstalk to create a safe and organized environment for everyone, so people aren’t talking out of turn. Keep in mind, that you don’t need to have your whole story planned out either. You can just talk freely and say whatever is on your mind.
Recovered On Purpose provides free tools to help you shape and share your recovery story in a way that inspires others and honors your journey. The twelve steps are practical spiritual actions that help people recover, while the twelve traditions preserve unity within AA groups. Together, they form the structural and philosophical backbone of the fellowship.
When you walk in you will likely see some people standing around getting coffee or sitting at chairs. There is no need for you to do anything at this point besides for find a chair and sit! There is often somebody leading the group who will open with a few standard readings. You never have to speak, you never have to do the 12 steps, you never have to identify as an alcoholic, you don’t even have to believe in God. You could go there and sit down and just listen, never saying a single word for your entire life if you wanted to. Some people are under the impression that they’re required to share their experiences during meetings.
Just as in the movies, everyone responds with, “Hello (first name)!” After they complete their “story” everyone in the room thanks them. Inside the room, there are people sitting here and there; some talking together, some sitting alone. You take a seat by the door (just in case you want to make a quick exit) and as people passed by, some say hello, some nod, some stop and introduce themselves, and some keep to themselves. We cannot predict who will recover, nor have we the authority to decide how recovery should be sought by any other alcoholic. Various platforms are used depending on what the group members prefer.