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As you search for “AA meetings near me,” you will find a variety of options. One of the main differences between the various types of meetings is the format, which impacts the kind of discussions you can expect. Consider the various meetings you can attend and what you may hear discussed at these meetings.
Discussion Format
Not all AA meetings are alike. Search “AA meetings near me” to find a group that fits your individual needs. Each group has its own leader who decides on the format. A group with a discussion format will have a leader. They open the meeting and select a topic for discussion by the group members.
Meetings may be open or closed. Open meetings are for anyone to attend. You can be a person seeking help from addiction, a family member of someone with a substance use disorder, or a person interested in addiction treatment. Non-members attend as observers only.
Closed meetings are for members only and those considering membership. In either meeting, the discussions are supposed to be limited to the overall theme of helping people recover from addiction.
Topics for Discussion
Each leader has the authority to choose the topics for their meetings. The purpose of AA is to allow members to share their own experiences. They provide hope and support to others who are also in recovery. Topics for discussion should contribute in some way to the overall purpose. They usually fall under one of the following broad categories:
The Twelve Steps and Traditions
Some leaders choose one of the 12 steps to talk about until all of them have been discussed. If someone new attends, the discussion may center on one of the first three steps. The leader may incorporate the 12 traditions into the meetings with one tradition being discussed after each set of 12 steps.
The Big Book
The book Alcoholics Anonymous was written to show how the first people in the group attained sobriety. This book is often referred to as the Big Book and is still used today. The leader may assign a chapter from the Big Book to be read ahead of time and discussed at the meeting. Others may read from the book at the meeting and follow up with a discussion of what was read.
AA Slogans
Some popular AA slogans have been used as starters for discussion. Live and let live is one slogan while H.A.L.T. is another, which means don’t get too hungry, angry, lonely, or tired.
AA Booklets
Alcoholics Anonymous has had literature published to help people who are overcoming addiction. As Bill Sees It is a collection of writings that have been adapted from the Big Book. Living Sober is a pamphlet that showcases how others who have gone through AA have maintained their sobriety.
General Topics
The leader may choose general topics that will help the members with their addictions or other issues. They may talk about fear and inadequacy and how they can overcome these feelings. The leader may direct the discussion to positive attributes, such as acceptance, forgiveness, and humility. They may talk about a higher power or gaining freedom through sobriety.
Members may discuss making amends, which is one of the 12 steps. They may talk about how they will put that step into practice or ask for insight on how to achieve a goal. Discussion may revolve around how the members can help others who are also beginning the path of recovery. In this situation, anonymity may be a topic to discuss.
The Grapevine is a monthly publication that has been put out by AA for decades. It includes topics of discussion in each issue. Leaders may use these ideas as inspiration for their meetings. Leaders often choose their topics for discussion based on the members, where they are in their journeys, and what they need to help them maintain their sobriety. Most leaders are open to suggestions from members if they feel they would like to suggest something that hasn’t been covered.
Locating AA Meetings Near Me
You can search online for AA meetings near you. As you locate meetings close to where you live, you can narrow them down by type. AA meetings often list the format they use, which helps you decide if they’re the right choice to help you with your recovery.
