Alcoholism is a chronic condition impacting 28.9 million people aged 12 and older in the United States, and it requires ongoing dedication to recovery. Whether you have recently completed treatment or are just beginning to consider sobriety, having a strong support system is vital to maintaining your recovery journey. Alcoholics Anonymous, which pioneered the 12-step program model, provides the comprehensive support system you need through its worldwide fellowship of peers who understand your struggles firsthand. Find out where to get information about and locate AA meetings to help you in recovery.
Understanding the Foundation: The 12 Steps
The 12 steps form the core of AA’s recovery program, providing a structured path toward sobriety through personal growth, accountability and spiritual development. The initial three steps focus on accepting your relationship with alcohol and finding a higher power to help guide your recovery — this could be God, the universe, the AA group itself or any power greater than yourself that you choose. Steps four through nine guide you through personal inventory, acknowledgment of wrongs and making amends where possible, helping heal past wounds and build a stronger foundation for sobriety. The final steps concentrate on maintaining your recovery and helping others, creating a sustainable path forward in sobriety.
Finding AA Meetings
Start by visiting AA’s official website to locate your local AA resource. Most local websites provide detailed meeting listings organized by city, complete with helpful symbols or abbreviations that indicate special characteristics of each meeting, such as special populations or meeting formats. Be sure to check the legend to understand these indicators.
Get the App
In an attempt to reach anyone and everyone, AA now offers a mobile app called Meeting Guide, and it’s available in Apple’s App Store and Google Play. It’s completely free and provides meeting information in a format that’s easy to access. Between in-person meets, online meets and the Meeting Guide app, Alcoholics Anonymous is available around the clock.
Many local AA organizations offer a Bridge the Gap or Temporary Contact program, which connects you with a long-time AA member who can accompany you to your first meeting. This can make the initial step much less daunting. You can ask about this program when you contact your local AA resource.
Types of Meetings and Finding Your Fit
AA meetings, which provide comprehensive addiction support and information on recovery resources, come in several formats to accommodate different needs and comfort levels. Open speaker meetings welcome anyone interested in attending and feature AA members telling their stories without discussion. Open discussion meetings also welcome everyone and allow for group discussion, usually led by an AA member. Closed discussions and most 12-step meetings are reserved for people struggling with alcohol addiction. Step meetings focus on studying one of the 12 steps each session.
The diversity of AA extends beyond meeting formats. Groups meet at various times and locations to accommodate different schedules and preferences. You’ll find general meetings and specialized groups for men, women, LGBTQ+ individuals and young people. Spanish language meetings and other language groups are available in many cities. While many AA groups meet in churches, plenty of alternatives exist in community centers, libraries and other locations if you prefer a nonreligious setting.
Online Meeting Options
Online AA groups have become an invaluable resource, especially for those in rural areas or anyone who isn’t comfortable with in-person meetings initially. Virtual meetings are available through AA-intergroup.org and platforms like InTheRooms.com, which hosts various 12-step meetings, including both AA and NA. These online options provide the same support and fellowship as traditional meetings while offering additional flexibility and accessibility.
What to Expect at Your First Meeting
The only requirement for AA membership is your desire to stop drinking — there are no dues, fees or paperwork. When preparing for your first meeting, plan to arrive about 10 to 15 minutes early. This gives you time to find the meeting room — which usually has signs posted — and settle in. You’ll likely find people chatting and having coffee before the meeting begins, but you’re welcome to find a seat and quietly observe if you prefer.
A typical meeting begins with the chairperson reading the AA preamble, followed by members reading short passages from AA literature. If you’re attending a speaker meeting, which is often recommended for newcomers, one or more members will share their recovery stories. Discussion meetings focus on specific topics, with members sharing their experiences throughout. You’re never required to speak — many people simply listen at their first several meetings. If you do want to share, simply indicate your desire to do so when there’s an opening in the discussion.
Meeting etiquette is straightforward but important. Keep your phone silent and refrain from interrupting when others are sharing. Confidentiality is paramount — what’s shared in meetings stays in meetings. You need only use your first name, as anonymity is a foundational principle of AA. After the meeting concludes with the Serenity Prayer, you’re welcome to stay and ask questions or chat with other members.
Alternative 12-Step Programs
If you find AA doesn’t quite fit your needs but appreciate the 12-step model, consider exploring these other options:
- AA Outside the United States
- Al-Anon
- Alateen (for teenagers)
- Cocaine Anonymous
- Crystal Meth Anonymous
- Marijuana Anonymous
- Narcotics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous welcomes anyone struggling with an addiction, including to alcohol, and follows the same core principles as AA. Other specialized groups include Al-Anon and Alateen for families and teenagers affected by alcoholism, Cocaine Anonymous and various other substance-specific support groups.
Let Us Help
Remember that each group, whether AA or an alternative program, has its own unique dynamic shaped by its members. If your first meeting doesn’t feel like the right fit, try another. The key is finding a supportive environment where you feel comfortable sharing and growing in your recovery journey. Support is available 24-7 through the National Rehab Hotline at (866) 210-1303, where all calls are free and confidential. Contact us today.