If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or call 911. The National Rehab Hotline at 866-210-1303 is for non-emergency information, support and referrals.
If you’re looking for an AA meeting, you’re taking a meaningful step toward support. Alcohol use disorder affects millions of Americans, and most people need support as they work toward recovery. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, citing the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 27.9 million people ages 12 and older had alcohol use disorder in the past year. Whether you’ve recently completed treatment or are just starting to think about sobriety, a strong support system can make long-term recovery feel less isolating.
Alcoholics Anonymous, which pioneered the 12-step model, provides that support through a worldwide fellowship of peers who understand the experience firsthand. A 2020 Cochrane review, generally considered the gold standard for evaluating treatment evidence, found that people who took part in AA had a 42% estimated abstinence rate after one year, compared with 35% for people in other treatment approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy. AA isn’t right for everyone, but for many people, it offers steady support that can make sobriety easier to sustain.
This guide walks through how to find AA meetings, what to expect at your first one, how meeting formats differ and what alternatives exist if AA doesn’t fit. For ongoing support, the National Rehab Hotline is available 24/7 at 866-210-1303.
Understanding the Foundation: The 12 Steps
The 12 steps form the core of AA’s recovery program and give members a structured way to work toward sobriety through personal growth, accountability and spiritual development. The first three steps focus on accepting your relationship with alcohol and finding a higher power to help guide your recovery. This can be God, the universe, the AA group itself or any power greater than yourself that you choose to recognize.
Steps four through nine guide you through personal inventory, acknowledgment of past wrongs and making amends where possible. These steps help heal past wounds and build a stronger foundation for sobriety. The final steps focus on maintaining your recovery and helping others, creating a sustainable path forward in long-term sobriety. The progression is intentional: AA’s approach starts with early recovery work before moving into relationship repair and accountability.
Finding AA Meetings
The most direct way to start is AA’s Find A.A. Near You page, which connects you to local AA resources for meeting lists in your area. Most local AA websites list meetings by city and use symbols or abbreviations to show details such as meeting type, accessibility, language or group focus. Each local site includes a legend explaining these indicators.
Some AA service areas offer a Bridge the Gap or Temporary Contact program, which may connect you with an experienced AA member who can help you get to your first meeting. Having someone who’s been through the process walk in with you can ease some of the anxiety around that first meeting. You can ask about this program when you contact your local AA resource, and it’s typically free and confidential.
Get the App
AA also offers Meeting Guide, a free mobile app available on Apple’s App Store and Google Play. The app provides up-to-date meeting information from AA service entities, including intergroups and central offices, covering both in-person and online meetings, with filters for meeting type, time and location. Between in-person groups, virtual meetings and the app, AA is available any time you have an internet connection.
Types of Meetings and Finding Your Fit
AA meetings come in several formats, so you can look for one that feels comfortable for you.
- Open speaker meetings. These meetings welcome anyone interested in attending and feature AA members sharing their recovery stories without group discussion. They’re often recommended for newcomers because they let you observe without pressure to participate.
- Open discussion meetings. These meetings also welcome everyone and allow group discussion, usually led by an AA member who introduces a topic.
- Closed discussion meetings. These meetings are reserved for people who identify as having a desire to stop drinking. Most regular 12-step meetings are closed.
- Step meetings. These meetings focus on studying one of the 12 steps in depth each session.
AA groups vary in more ways than meeting format. Groups meet at various times and locations to accommodate different schedules. You’ll find general meetings and specialized groups for men, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, young people and various professional groups. Spanish language meetings and other language groups are available in many cities. Many AA groups meet in churches, but you can also find meetings in community centers, libraries and other secular settings if you prefer a non-religious environment.
Online Meeting Options
Online AA meetings are widely available and can be especially helpful if you live in a rural area, have a schedule that doesn’t fit local in-person meetings or aren’t ready for face-to-face meetings yet. Virtual meetings run across time zones, and many offer the same sense of fellowship and support as in-person meetings.
What to Expect at Your First Meeting
The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues, fees or paperwork. For your first meeting, try to arrive 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, one or more members will share their recovery stories. Discussion meetings focus on a specific topic, 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, you can speak up when there’s an opening in the discussion.
Meeting etiquette is straightforward but important. Keep your phone silent. Don’t interrupt when others are sharing. Confidentiality matters. What’s shared in meetings stays in meetings. You only need to use your first name; anonymity is one of AA’s core principles. After the meeting concludes, often with the Serenity Prayer, you’re welcome to stay and ask questions or chat with other members. If you encounter unfamiliar phrases or AA-specific language during your first few meetings, our guide to common AA terms can help.
Alternative 12-Step Programs
If AA doesn’t quite fit your needs but you appreciate the 12-step model, several other programs follow similar core principles for different populations or substances.
- Al-Anon. For family members and friends affected by someone else’s drinking.
- Alateen. A part of Al-Anon specifically for teenagers affected by a family member’s alcohol use.
- Narcotics Anonymous. Welcomes anyone struggling with addiction, including alcohol, and follows the same core principles as AA.
- Cocaine Anonymous. Focused on cocaine and other substances.
- Crystal Meth Anonymous. Focused on methamphetamine recovery.
- Marijuana Anonymous. Focused on cannabis use disorder.
If the 12-step framework itself doesn’t fit, there are evidence-based secular alternatives too. SMART Recovery is the most established secular alternative, using cognitive behavioral techniques rather than the spiritual framework. For a broader look at non-12-step options including SMART Recovery, Refuge Recovery and LifeRing, see our guide to AA alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I Have to Be Sure I’m an Alcoholic to Attend AA?
No. The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking. You don’t need a diagnosis, you don’t need to identify as an alcoholic, and you don’t need to be certain you have a problem. Many people attend their first meetings while they’re still figuring out whether AA is right for them. Open meetings welcome anyone curious about the program, including family members and friends. - Is AA Religious?
AA references a higher power as part of its 12-step framework, so some people wonder whether it’s religious. In practice, the program is intentionally non-denominational. The higher power can be God, the universe, the group itself or anything else you choose. Many atheists and agnostics participate in AA, and meetings in secular settings, such as community centers, libraries or online, are available in many areas. If the spiritual framework doesn’t work for you, secular alternatives like SMART Recovery exist. - How Much Does AA Cost?
Nothing. AA is free at the point of access. Groups pass a basket during meetings for voluntary contributions to cover rent and refreshments, but there are no dues, fees or registration costs. Members typically contribute a small amount when they can, but no one tracks it and no contribution is required to attend. - How Often Should I Attend Meetings?
Some AA members suggest 90 meetings in 90 days, or one meeting daily for the first three months. The idea is to help you build a routine and feel less alone during early recovery. After that, frequency varies by person; many long-term members continue attending one to several meetings per week indefinitely. - What If I Don’t Like the First Meeting I Attend?
Try another. Each AA group has its own personality shaped by its members, location and history. A meeting that doesn’t fit one person can be exactly right for another, and meetings 10 minutes apart can feel completely different. Most people who stick with AA try several groups before finding one that genuinely feels like home. One uncomfortable meeting doesn’t mean AA can’t work for you. - What Happens When I Call the National Rehab Hotline?
When you call, you’ll be connected with information, guidance and referrals — answers about AA and other recovery options, and connections to local resources, treatment programs and support communities. The call is free, confidential and available 24/7. We can also help you find treatment if you’re considering professional support alongside AA participation. Call 866-210-1303.
Take the Next Step
Every AA group has its own feel. If your first meeting doesn’t feel like the right fit, try another. The key is finding a supportive environment where you can share, listen and grow without pressure. Recovery is rarely a straight line, and the support you build along the way can matter as much as any single decision.
If you need help finding meetings, exploring treatment options or thinking through what kind of support is right for you, the National Rehab Hotline is available 24/7 at 866-210-1303. The call is free and confidential. You don’t have to face this alone.
