Alcoholic Anonymous Meetings

Medically Reviewed By Kayla Loibl | Last Edited : November 08,
2020 | 4 Sources

How Do Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings Work

Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA, is THE number one treatment and recovery option for alcoholics everywhere, going to AA meetings is how I got sober and stayed sober... in the beginning. For that I am eternally grateful. Now I have moved on.

A common misunderstanding is that AA meetings are only for alcoholics. The truth is that individuals who abuse alcohol would also benefit from meetings. Moderate drinking is recognized as 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women. Some individuals experience negative consequence from moderate drinking.

It is an incredibly useful tool, and brings hope and respite from alcohol to many. But it is not for everybody, so read on, but keep in mind that, if AA is not for you there are alternatives to Alcoholics Anonymous, so do not despair. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has developed a list of blogs and podcasts related to alcohol use that could be of benefit.

Research has shown several benefits from participating in Alcohol Anonymous meetings. Individuals who participate in AA are more likely to abstain from alcohol. Research has also shown that there is a positive relationship between AA participation and marriage satisfaction as well as work satisfaction.

For the newcomer, an Alcoholic Anonymous meeting can seem, strange and intimidating at times. It is only natural to feel apprehensive about your first AA meeting.

It takes time to get used to the language and ideas flying around an AA meeting, so my advice is to take it one step at a time. It will take a while to feel comfortable, do not expect to get into the flow after just a couple of meetings.

More importantly, don't dismiss AA out of hand after one session just because it's 'weird'. Everything seems weird the first time we do it. Give it a chance and then, if it still doesn't do anything for you, move onto a different method of quitting drink.

What can make the first meeting less strange is to know what to expect at a meeting, so at least you're not surprised by the format.

Different Types Of Alcoholic Anonymous Meetings

There are at least 4 different types of alcoholic anonymous meeting, each of which has a different format.

It is important to remember that each AA group decides on its way of doing things, so meetings vary in many ways, however, they roughly follow the structure outlined below.

The 4 types of meeting are:

Discussion Meetings - These meetings start with the chairperson reading a passage, a thought or idea and then throwing the discussion open to the floor. People can then add their thoughts and experiences concerning the discussion topic and/or their alcoholism and recovery from it.
Speaker Meetings - This is when a member of AA, who has a fair bit of sobriety under his or her belt, tells their story to the group. When the speaker has finished then, if there is time, members can add their thoughts and any similarities between their story and that of the speaker.
Big Book Meetings - A passage or chapter is read from the big book by a chairperson or pre-appointed member of AA. Then other members comment on the passage. Sometimes each person at the meeting reads a passage from a chapter and then passes it onto the next person, and so on.
Step Study Meetings - As in the Big Book meeting, but in these the readings come from another text called "Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions" or "12 and 12". Then members share their experiences and views in light of the reading.

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Elements Common To All Alcoholic Anonymous Meetings

Regardless on the type of meeting, there are certain elements that remain the same in most AA meetings:

Introductions: When members of AA speak in a meeting they generally introduce themselves (even if they have known everybody in the room for a long time). The typical introduction is, "Hello, My name is ...., and I am an alcoholic". There are other variations on this such as, " I'm ...., and I'm a recovering alcoholic" and so on. Do not feel obliged to do this. It is common courtesy to say your name, but do not feel impelled to identify yourself as an alcoholic.
Chairperson: The chairperson is always a member of AA and usually does not have any relevant professional qualifications. Their only qualification usually is that they are a recovering alcoholic with some sober time. Any member of AA can be the chairperson of a particular meeting.
Closing Of The Meeting: Meetings can close in different but essentially similar ways. After the 12th tradition is read out (regarding respect for anonymity), in some places they will stand and end with the Lord's Prayer. In others they may form a circle hold hands and say the serenity prayer.
Donations: Most meetings will pass around a plate or leave one at the front of the room. This is so you can donate to the running costs of that particular AA group. Do not feel you HAVE to give something.
Rewarding Sobriety: When a member of AA has reached a certain milestone then their 'home group' (that is the AA group an alcoholic identifies as his or her home) will reward them with 'chips'. Chips are medals awarded for certain lengths of time of sobriety. So you can get a chip for being sober 24 hours (doesn't sound much, but it is) and one for being ten years sober. Each chip is a different color and is presented to the recipient by the chairperson of that particular meeting.

What Makes Alcoholic Anonymous Meetings Work?

The way that Alcoholic Anonymous meetings are able to work so effectively is because of a variety of different factors.

Below is a list of some of the most common key factors that make this particular group such a successful option for alcoholic individuals to choose when they have set their heart and their mind on removing alcohol from their lives.

The common elements that alcoholics in the AA 12 step program commit to are....

Taking the first step of admitting that you indeed have a problem with the addiction of alcohol and that you need help in being able to successfully recover from the addiction.
Being able to let go and submit not just your will, but your entire life in the hands of God or other Higher Being that you are comfortable with.
Making any amends that need to be made with partners, friends, colleagues, and other individuals that you have hurt through the course of your addiction.
Continuing to commit to abstinence of alcohol, following the principles that are learned in meetings and in the AA big book, and helping other individuals that are having problems that are caused from the addiction to alcohol.

If you found this page of interest then you may find the following resources useful:

AA Online Meetings. Deciphering the acronyms used in AA online.
AA Slogans. Understanding the language of AA.
AA Chat Rooms. How to find and use them.
Alcoholics Anonymous 12 Steps. The 12 steps and what they mean.
The History of Alcoholics Anonymous. The early days of AA uncovered.
Alcoholics Anonymous Online Meeting. The pros and cons of Alcoholics Anonymous online.
Alcoholics Anonymous gifts. What to get the AA member as a gift.
Alcoholics Anonymous books. The top ten books on the AA program.

Lead Writer/Reviewer : Kayla Loibl

Licensed Medical Health Professional

Hello!

I am a Mental Health Counselor who is licensed in both New York (LMHC) and North Carolina (LCMHC). I have been working in the Mental Health field since 2015. I have worked in a residential setting, an outpatient program and an inpatient addictions program. I began working in Long Island, NY and then in Guelph, Ontario after moving to Canada. Read More

Sources:

A published research article provided by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism regarding the benefits of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings: Alcohol Health and Research World Volume 18 Number 4 1994 Advances in Alcoholism Treatment (nih.gov)

Facts and statistics provided by the Center for Disease Control: Drinking too much alcohol can harm your health. Learn the facts | CDC

List of alcohol related Blogs developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Blogs | Alcohol | CDC

List of alcohol related Podcasts developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Alcohol related podcasts | CDC

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