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What are the different types of meetings? How long do AA meetings last? Can you participate in it?Online AA meeting? Learn more about recovering from alcoholism and how to find AA meetings near you.
What is an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting?
AA meetings bring together a small group of people who share a common goal: to stopalcohol abuseand recover from addiction for life.
The meetings are aimed at supporting alcohol recoverythrough several different routes, including a 12-step program that addresses compulsive behavior, repairing damage, and learning to live without alcohol.
Alcoholics Anonymous is a non-profit voluntary organization. Local AA meetings are a kind of fellowship of community members to help each other. They are run by former alcoholics with the intention of helping people recovering.
Alcoholics Anonymous meeting format
The most common AA meeting format is an informal gathering of people who go through specific steps with the ultimate goal of stopping alcohol abuse. Meetings offer support for people in a variety of situationsregeneration phase. Alcoholics who continue to drink but have a strong desire to quitthey encourage participation. In addition, friends and families of recovering alcoholics are welcome. Meetings are open to people of all ages, genders and nationalities. The organization is not affiliated with any particular political or religious group.
Do people really remain anonymous at AA meetings?
As the name suggests,anonymity is a fundamental basic principleAlcoholics Anonymous program. Members must not violate the anonymity of others in their chapter. That's why new members can feel free to share their drinking problems and be confident that their trust won't be shaken. In addition, members will not be identified in the press, online or on air as alcoholics. However, many members who have been in the program for some time feel that they don't mind people finding out about their membership and attending AA meetings because it helps them stay sober. However, membership in Alcoholics Anonymous may not be disclosed by anyone other than the member.
What are AA network meetings?
Some alcoholics simply do not have the time or resources to attend meetings in person. For those who live in small towns and rural areas, searching for an "AA meeting near me" may not yield any practical results. For the benefit of such people, along with a list of AA meetings in the area, members around the worldprovide 24/7 support, seven days a week via email, chat, online forums andAA group phone calls. It is a fast and confidential way to get immediate help with your drinking problem.
The relevant section can be found in the online directory of AA meetings. New members can join a branch located anywhere in the world. Group sizesthey range from as few as 30 members to several hundred. The website administrator maintains current addresses and convenes meetings on request. Even in cyberspace, the sole purpose of online AA meetings remains the 12-step recovery from alcoholism.
TheNA Online Meetingsthey are also an excellent alternative to traditional therapies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Theaddiction treatment during coronavirusit is essential for many patients who have already undergone convalescence and those who just want to start it.
Delaying rehab can make addiction and its side effects worse, making life unbearable.
How do I find AA meetings near me?
If anyone is looking for anonymous alcoholics gathering near me then the addiction resource finder is the right option. With this tool, people can find all AA meetings near you based on the required location. This tool is easy to use and provides users with a simple interface and various options.
Some of the benefits and options it offers are listed below:
- The tool allows you to enter a location and find Alcoholics Anonymous facilities near me.
- People can see all the variety of appointments as markers on Google Maps.
- You can click on any label to find the meeting name, phone number, times, and other related information.
- The tool uses the user's current location and provides accurate navigation and directions to an AA meeting by foot, car or public transit.
- This locator allows you to decide which meeting to join based on how convenient it is and how well it fits your requirements and schedule.
- The tool allows you to search for any AA meeting near you by simply searching for a city, zip code or current location.
- Its user interface provides a great experience for anyone looking for AA meetings near you.
This locating tool can save users time and energy from looking for AA meetings from other sources while they can do the same with this tool with minimal effort, time and hassle.
How and when did AA meetings start in my area?
The basic principles of Alcoholics Anonymous are based on a Christian self-help organization known as the Oxford Group. Bill Wilson, an Ohio resident, began applying these principles in an attempt to help others with alcohol problems after his long battle with alcoholism caused a disruption in his personal and professional life. His first success came when he applied this faith-based treatment for alcoholism to Dr. Robert SmithJune 10, 1935, the official date of the first AA meeting.
The two founded Alcoholics Anonymous in 1937, breaking away from the Oxford Group. A few decades later, the organization became a worldwide phenomenon, helping millions of people overcome alcohol addiction.
Today, AA meetings near me can be found anywhere in the world. Somethere are an estimated 115,000 groups in 150 countriesbyAlcoholics Anonymous promisesprayers,AA's Daily Thoughtsand other life-changing methods.
Does going to A.A. work?
Worldwide, millions of people trust Alcoholics Anonymous. As a result, few studies have attempted to measure the effectiveness of AA meetings.
Here's what the latest research data says:
- More people are recovering from alcohol addiction through Alcoholics Anonymous than any other program. It is estimated that there are approx20 millionAround the World.
- Up to 50 percent of long-term active members of Alcoholics Anonymous achieve resultscomplete abstinence, Ialmost 70 percentdrink less while participating.
- Participation in Alcoholics Anonymousfrom 1 to 3 yearsafter treatment for addiction increases the rate of abstinence for35th placewith a lasting impact on the abstinent lifestyle from AA-based support networks.
- Abstinence rates are theretwice as highamong those who attend AA meetings and those who do not. Abstinence is also higher in those with more, frequency and length of attendance at meetings.
- Participation in A.A. has long-term benefits. People who attendedat least 27 weekshadbetter alcohol-related outcomes 16 years later.
- Attending an AA meetingthree or more times a weekthe more likely it is to succeedcomplete abstinencebut even one or two sessions can result in a sudden reduction in drinking.
- Any form of involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous isbetter than a littleto zero share. The added value comes from higher initial traffic. Maintenancesponsor AA brings additional benefits over timeabove attendance at the meeting.
- One study compared people who received itAA help, formal addiction treatment, or both, and results were found to be better in the AA groupfor one and three years.
- Alcoholics who participate in the 12 Step program in addition to formal addiction treatment havealmost twicechances of recovery compared to those receiving traditional therapy alone.
- Atestcompared the methods of treatment of alcoholism and found abstinence daysthere was much moreafter 12-step facilitation than cognitive-behavioral therapy after 1 and 3 years.
- Intensive recommendationsto AA meetings with greater commitmentsignificantly higher rates of abstinencefrom standard recommendations.
- Men and womenhave similar AA participation rates and abstinence goals, butwomen are more likely to be abstinent and more likely to participate in A.Aovertime.
- Amuch higher percentagezalcohol-dependent adolescentsturned out to be more abstinent after completing an AA-based treatment program than those who did not complete it.
Types of AA meetings
The program includes meetings in various formats, which aim to raise all the problems of alcoholics and comprehensive help in the fight against alcoholism.
The following abbreviations AA meeting legends will help you better understand your upcoming AA meeting:
| Abbreviation | signifying |
| O | Open (everyone is welcome) |
| C | Closed (for those who want to stop drinking) |
| D | A topic for discussion |
| bed and breakfast | Great book study |
| SS | A step study |
| TR | A study of tradition |
| 12 | Study twelve and twelve |
| NC | Novices (beginners) |
| AB | As Bill sees it |
| gr | Vinova loza |
| ILLUMINATED | Literature |
| Sp | Loudspeaker |
| W | woman |
| M | for men |
| GL | gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender |
| Y | Young people |
| CL | Candlelight meeting |
| NS | No smoking |
| CC | Childcare available |
| West | Wheelchair access |
Here is a brief description of the types of meetings held by Alcoholics Anonymous chapters:
Open AA meetings
The open meeting may be attended by alcoholics and their friends and family members, but only a person struggling with alcoholism may speak. For people who are unsure if a program is right for them, participating in an open forum is the best way to learn more. The meeting is usually followed by social interaction over coffee, soft drinks, cookies and cakes.
What is a closed AA meeting?
Closed meetings are limited to current and prospective program members only. Guests are not allowed. These meetings provide an opportunity for members to discuss specific aspects of their alcoholism with others who have gone through similar experiences.
Discussion meeting
The group leader chooses a topic for the A.A. meeting and leads the discussion based on his or her personal experience. Members are encouraged to discuss their drinking problems and any recovery issues.
Speakers meeting
This type of AA meeting allows selected members to tell their stories and describe the impact alcohol has had on their lives. The member also talks about his experience with the program itself and the changes it has brought.
Panel presentation
This is the type of meeting where apanel membersgives a presentation to a group of professionals, such as doctors, to make them aware of what the program can and cannot do. In addition, it is an opportunity for professionals to learn more about Alcoholics Anonymous through the experiences of panel members. A question and answer session is usually included at the end of the presentation.
Discussion about literature
A.A. meeting topics are selected fromBig book. This book, written by founder Bill W., describes the program's philosophy. Copies of the book were handed to the participants during the meeting. Additionally, some groups make individual copies of the Big Book available to all new members, allowing members to take personal notes along with the text.
Question and answer
The AA meeting schedule may include Q&A meetings where questions may be asked or where members are asked to write down their questions on a piece of paper and place them in a basket that is distributed. The group leader reads the questions and the participants answer them based on their experiences.
Research in 12 steps
These types of meetings focus on certain aspects12 step method. These are usually closed meetings where one of the 12 steps underlying the program is discussed.
What can you expect from an AA meeting?
The basic structure of all AA chapters is similar, but because each chapter is run by local volunteers, the level of experience varies. In addition, the demographics of the people attending the meeting influence the course of the discussion and the direction of the conversation. For example, a program for teenagers will address specific issues of this age group. Finally, depending on the type of meeting, the group may study one of the 12 steps in detail, read the Alcoholics Anonymous text, and learn some spiritual practices, such as:Molitva za mir.
Specialists may be invited to discuss specific aspects of recovery and treatment.The schedule is usually flexible, and the group leader sets topics for A.A. meetings based on the immediate needs of the participants.
What is an AA meeting like?
Members are encouraged to introduce themselves with the familiar phrase "I am (name) and I am an alcoholic.“It helps newcomers feel comfortable and develop a sense of belonging to a group. While all members are encouraged to speak at the meeting, it is not mandatory. Cross chatting is not encouraged and each member is free to share their personal experiences. What's more, members can share their experiences without fear of judgment - the group leader moderates the discussion on how to stay on track.
At times, enthusiastic and kind older members may offer support and encouragement, and even share their phone numbers with newcomers. However, new members are not required to make friends outside of A.A. meetings if this seems inappropriate or inconvenient.
Regulations for new members
New members are credited with a sponsor who supports them in recovering from alcoholism. The sponsorship program is designed to provide a social component to Alcoholics Anonymous. It helps people stay strong when temptation hits them. The member's sponsor supports a total abstinence policy and offers incentives when needed.
What not to expect from an AA meeting group
It should be noted that AA meetings do not make medical diagnoses or offer detoxificationtreatment of alcohol dependenceadvice. Meetings also do not provide shelter, work, food, or clothing for recovering alcoholics, nor do they help financially with accumulated debts. In addition, referrals are not usually made to probation officers, courts, attorneys and community agencies. However, individual groups may choose to cooperate and provide a certificate of attendance at AA meetings. Each group has autonomy to decide whether to sign court certificates, etc., but this is not standard.
Liabilities and expenses for AA meetings
The desire to stop drinking must come from the person struggling with alcoholism. Alcoholics Anonymous does not provide initial motivation, and the organization does not invite members. The strength of the Third Program is the voluntary membership.
They are therethere are no fees, charges or financial obligationsof all kinds to attend meetings. Even without money, a person can join the nearest local chapter, which can be found with a quick AA meeting near me by searching on the search engine. However, the program accepts donations to remain an independent support. For example, local groups can "donate a hat" to cover the cost of coffee and sandwiches.
A unique feature of Alcoholics Anonymous is the lack of rules and regulations. The organization does not track members or attempt to control them in any way. No one checks if a member drinks. While most members attend at least one meeting per week, there is no obligation to attend a certain number of future meetings. Attendance lists are not kept. There is no obligation to go to a hospital, detox center oraddiction treatment center. Membership does not require belonging to any sect, political party or institution. The only commitment required is a continued desire for abstinence.
Disobedient members may be asked to leave the meeting, but will be welcomed when they stop being a nuisance.
I'm joining an AA meeting near me today
The process of joining Alcoholics Anonymous is relatively simple. No formal membership is required to attend meetings. At the first meeting, a person with an alcohol problem can sign an AA meeting card, attend work, and be considered a member. The program is open to people from all walks of life, regardless of age, gender, race, occupation or social status.
The only condition is a strong desire to overcome alcoholism by engaging in informal social contacts and using the experience and support of former alcoholics for sobriety.
Anyone can come to an A.A. meeting near me, but only members with alcohol problems can attend closed meetings and 12 steps. Friends and family who attend open meetings are not considered AA members unless they are alcoholics whodesire to stop drinking.
Local AA chapters may have rules or restrictions; for example, some programs may only admit women.
Alcoholics Anonymous is an effective way to stop drinking for anyone who wants it, so don't hesitate to search for AA meetings in my area today and join them to start living sober.
Page sources
- World Alcoholics Anonymous Services, Inc., F-106 Working with students attending vocational schools, https://www.aa.org/working-students-attending-professional-schools
- World Service of Alcoholics Anonymous, Inc., Twelve Steps, https://www.aa.org/the-twelve-steps
- Groh, D.R., Jason, L.A., Ferrari, J.R., and Davis, M.I. (2009). Oxford House and Alcoholics Anonymous: The Impact of Two Models of Mutual Aid on Abstinence. Addiction and Recovery Group Journal, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2916198/
- Helmet L.A. (2009). The Effectiveness of Alcoholics Anonymous: Faith Meets Science. Journal of Addictive Diseases, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2746426/
- Moos, R.H. and Moos, B.S. (2006). Treatment Participation and Alcoholics Anonymous: A 16-year follow-up of initially untreated individuals. Journal of Clinical Psychology, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16538654/
- Emrick C.D. (1987). Alcoholics Anonymous: Membership processes and treatment effectiveness. Alcoholism, clinical and experimental studies, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3314553/
- Krentzman, A. R., Robinson, E. A., Moore, B. C., Kelly, J. F., Laudet, A. B., White, W. L., Zemore, S. E., Kurtz, E., and Strobbe, S. (2010). How Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) work: With each other
- Disciplinary perspectives. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3140338/
- Timko, C., Moos, R. H., Finney, J. W. and Lesar, M.D. (2000). Long-term outcomes of alcohol dependence: comparison of untreated individuals with those in Alcoholics Anonymous and formal treatment. Journal of Alcohol Studies, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10928723/
- Dawson, D.A., Grant, B.F., Stinson, F.S., and Chou, P.S. (2006). Assessment of the impact of seeking help on overcoming alcohol addiction. Addiction (Abingdon, England), 101(6), https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16696626/
- Tailoring alcoholism treatment to client heterogeneity: results of the MATCH project after alcohol treatment. (1997). Journal of Alcohol Studies, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8979210/
- Timko, C. and DeBenedetti, A. (2007). Randomized controlled trial of intensive referral to 12-step self-help groups: 1-year results. Drug and alcohol addiction, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17524574/
- Bond, J., Kaskutas, L. A. and Weisner, C. (2003). The lasting impact of social networking sites and Alcoholics Anonymous on abstinence. Journal of Alcohol Studies, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12921201/
- Witbrodt, J. and Delucchi, K. (2011). Do women differ from men in the participation and abstinence of Alcoholics Anonymous? Multi-wave analysis of people seeking treatment. Alcoholism, clinical and experimental studies, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21689121/
- Alford, G. S., Koehler, R. A. and Leonard, J. (1991). Alcoholics Anonymous-Narcotics Anonymous model of inpatient treatment of chemically addicted adolescents: a two-year study of results. Journal of Alcohol Studies, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2016871/
Published: February 28, 2019
Updated: March 16, 2022
About the author
Isaak Stotts, LP
Isaak Stotts is an in-house medical writer at AddictionResource. Isaak studied addiction psychology at Aspen University and earned a master's degree in addiction psychology and counseling. After graduation, he became an addiction counselor, providing individual, group and family counseling to individuals seeking to achieve and maintain sobriety and recovery goals.
Medically tested
Michaela Espelina APRN
8 years of nursing experience in a wide range of behavioral and supportive settings including inpatient and outpatient mental health services for adults with substance use disorders and long term geriatric and inpatient care. She has a particular interest in psychopharmacology, nutritional psychiatry, and alternative treatments that include certain vitamins, dietary supplements, and performing ear acupuncture.
FAQs
How do you find AA? ›
Contact your Alumni Coordinator today by call calling 800-214-2649 or email alumni@contactaac.com. You can find an AA meeting near you by finding your local AA resource here. Select your state to be redirected to the local resource website. On the local sites, you can find a listing of meetings by city.
Can you join AA without being an alcoholic? ›Only those with a drinking problem may attend closed meetings or become AA members. People with problems other than alcoholism are eligible for AA membership only if they have a drinking problem, too. 3 According to AA traditions, the only qualification for membership is a desire to stop drinking.
What does Alcoholics Anonymous offer? ›What is A.A.? Alcoholics Anonymous is a worldwide fellowship of men and women who help each other to stay sober. They offer the same help to anyone who has a drinking problem and wants to do something about it. Since they are all alcoholics themselves, they have a special understanding of each other.
How often do you go to alcoholics anonymous? ›How Often Should I Go to AA Meetings? There is no set number of meetings you should attend. Some people go every day, while other people only go when they feel like they need to.
How do I know if I'm an alcoholic? ›Impaired control over alcohol use
This might mean not being able to control how long a drinking session is, how much alcohol you consume when you do drink, how frequently you drink, being unable to stop drinking once you start, or drinking on inappropriate occasions or at inappropriate places.
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Can you be sober and still drink? ›“It's an exception, and very rare, for someone to be able to have even one drink and it does not lead to relapse.” “For the majority of people, drinking alcohol while in recovery will lead them back to their original addiction/substance use disorder, or an addiction to alcohol,” he adds.
What is the average length of sobriety in AA? ›The average time of sobriety of successful AA members, as reported by AA, is more than five years.
Can you go to AA if you're not religious? ›A.A. is not a religious organization. Alcoholics Anonymous has only one requirement for member- ship, and that is the desire to stop drinking. There is room in A.A. for people of all shades of belief and non-belief.
What is Tradition 5 of Alcoholics Anonymous? ›5. Each Alcoholics Anonymous group ought to be a spiritual entity having but one primary purpose–that of carrying its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
What is tradition 7 Alcoholics Anonymous? ›
A.A.'s Seventh Tradition states: “Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.” This means that only A.A. members contribute financially to A.A. – and even A.A. members are limited in the amount they can contribute.
What is Tradition 11 in Alcoholics Anonymous? ›Eleven—Our relations with the general public should be characterized by personal anonymity. We think A.A. ought to avoid sensational advertising. Our names and pictures as A.A. members ought not be broadcast, filmed, or publicly printed.
What percentage of people who attend AA stay sober? ›A New York Times article stated that AA claims that up to 75% of its members stay abstinent. Alcoholics Anonymous' Big Book touts about a 50% success rate, stating that another 25% remain sober after some relapses.
How long does AA usually last? ›Typically, AA meetings last about one hour. One of the responsibilities of the meeting facilitator is to ensure the meeting adheres closely to that one-hour mark, as people attending often have to get back to work or other commitments.
Do you have to have a sponsor in AA? ›Having an AA sponsor is not required, but it is very advantageous. Sponsors are people in recovery who offer mentorship to facilitate recovery. By engaging with a sponsor, the person in recovery gains access to support and accountability, which would be hard to get elsewhere.
What are 3 symptoms of an alcoholic? ›- Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
- Wanting to cut down on how much you drink or making unsuccessful attempts to do so.
- Spending a lot of time drinking, getting alcohol or recovering from alcohol use.
- Feeling a strong craving or urge to drink alcohol.
Alcohols bind with other atoms to create secondary alcohols. These secondary alcohols are the three types of alcohol that humans use every day: methanol, isopropanol, and ethanol.
What are the 4 types of drinker? ›- Social drinking. To date, nearly all the research on drinking motives has been done on teens and young adults. ...
- Drinking to conform. ...
- Drinking for enhancement. ...
- Drinking to cope.
Americans and AA members have maintained the same pace over the last 31 years (AAs being 32% older that the average American in both 1983 and 2014).
Is there an app to help stop drinking? ›Drinker's Helper is an app that can help you cut back or quit drinking by providing tracking tools, support groups, and motivation to help you stay on course. With Drinker's Helper, you can see which strategies have been working in your community, learn from others' success, and gain insight into your drinking habits.
Is there an alternative to the AA? ›
Though AA may be the most well-known solution for alcohol abuse, it is far from the only one. There are many alternatives to Alcoholics Anonymous, including The Sinclair Method, moderation, cognitive behavioral therapy, therapy, coaching, and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT).
What happens to your body after 3 weeks of no alcohol? ›At 3 weeks of not drinking, most drinkers have successfully reduced their risk of heart disease, including stroke, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Their kidney health and even their vision may improve. For dependent drinkers, blood pressure may reduce to normal levels by the 3rd or 4th week.
What happens after 6 weeks of not drinking alcohol? ›1 One study showed that after 6 weeks of abstinence from alcohol, brain volume increases by an average of 2%. 3. After Six Months: After half a year without drinking, you will really start to reap the rewards. Your risk of developing cancer will decrease, and your liver function will have greatly improved.
What is it called when you drink again after being sober? ›Relapse is the return to alcohol or drug use after an individual acknowledges the presence of addictive disease, recognizes the need for total abstinence, and makes a decision to maintain sobriety with the assistance of a recovery program.
What are the hardest months of sobriety? ›The first week of sobriety is often the most difficult. You may experience withdrawal symptoms that last for a few days or weeks. These symptoms are uncomfortable, and the risk of relapse can be high.
What is the first rule of sobriety? ›RULE 1: Change Your Life So that it's Easier to Not Use
If you don't create a new life, then all the factors that brought you to your addiction will eventually catch up with you again. You don't have to change everything in your life.
In the U.S., a widespread practice requires patients with alcoholic liver disease to complete a period of sobriety before they can get on the waiting list for a liver. This informal policy, often called “the 6-month rule,” can be traced to the 1980s.
Can you live without AA? ›The program can help some people bring order to issues like work, relationships, finances, and so forth. But not everyone. The bottom line is your safety and well-being. If you find you can have a happy, sober life without AA, there is no “law” that you have to stay.
What religion does AA follow? ›AA is not affiliated to any religion or anything else for that matter. It is a series of self-governing self-help groups. Its members have one thing in common – a desire to stop drinking.
What are the God steps in recovery? ›- Step 1: Admit your life has become unmanageable. ...
- Step 2: Accept that you need God to become sober. ...
- Step 3: Decide to turn over your life to God. ...
- Step 4: Honestly take stock of your life. ...
- Step 5: Admit your wrongs to yourself, God, and others.
What are the four absolutes of Alcoholics Anonymous? ›
- Honesty.
- Unselfishness.
- Purity.
- Love.
by Kathleen C. Short Form: At all responsible levels, we ought to maintain a traditional “Right of Participation,” allowing a voting representation in reasonable proportion to the responsibility that each must discharge.
What is step 3 in the 12 and 12 of Alcoholics Anonymous? ›3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
What is the tradition 10 of AA? ›Tradition Ten: “Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.”
What is the 12th concept of Alcoholics Anonymous? ›That no Conference action ever be personally punitive or an incitement to public controversy. This Warranty guarantees A.A. will never inflict personal punishment upon individual members for violations of its principles, for their beliefs, or for their behavior. We need never resort to methods of personal attack.
What is tradition 6 12 by 12 AA? ›What Tradition 6 Says. In order to preserve the integrity of the program and maintain their primary spiritual aim, 12-step support groups do not endorse any outside organizations and causes.
What is step 3 of the 12 traditions? ›Of the twelve steps, step three can be best referred to as the process of surrender. It asserts that a lifetime of recovery can only be achieved by making the decision to turn over your will to a higher being.
What is the most effective treatment for alcohol dependence? ›Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps to identify feelings and situations that can lead to heavy drinking and teaches coping skills and stress management techniques to change the thoughts that cause a desire to drink.
What works better than AA? ›- Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) Recovery.
- Women for Sobriety.
- Secular Organizations for Sobriety (S.O.S.).
- LifeRing Secular Recovery.
- Moderation Management.
- Evidence-based and science-based treatments.
- Holistic therapies.
- Experiential therapies.
You cannot outgrow the Alcoholics Anonymous program because it is designed with constant maintenance in mind. The AA program is designed to help people get sober but it is also designed to help people maintain sobriety and recovery in the long term.
How long should it take to go through the 12 steps? ›
How Long Do the 12-Steps Take? The average length of time it takes for someone to work through the 12 steps once can vary. Many 12-step sponsors encourage sponsees and newcomers in AA and other 12-step programs to attend 90 meetings in 90 days, or at least one meeting a day for three months.
How long does it take to recover from AA? ›Different for Each Individual
Some of the steps involve making amends to those you may have hurt as a result of your alcoholism. For some people, that may take a day or two. For others, it may be a longer process that requires months or even years.
They do, but not all the time. People with the AA genotype are more prone to get malaria than people who have AS. But the fact that AA people are more prone to malaria does not mean there's an AA sickness,” he said. “It's not only people with the AA genotype that have fallen sick.
At what point do you get a sponsor in AA? ›A sponsor is a senior member of AA or NA who has been in recovery for usually at least a year. Sponsors help you navigate membership, answer questions, work on the 12-steps, and offer accountability.
Can you be friends with your AA sponsor? ›Friend or Sponsor
A sponsor does not have to become a person's friend. Whether or not a person builds a bond with the sponsor is based more on personal compatibility than anything else. Sometimes friendship gets in the way of primary work in completing 12 steps. When friendship is appropriate depends on what arises.
Each member of AA has one sponsor. Although it is suggested that you choose someone who you are comfortable with and someone who has a sense of sobriety that you desire, you may feel at some point that a sponsor isn't right for you.
Can anyone use the AA? ›We can rescue you, even if you're not with us yet
Just so you know, you can't buy cover online if you've already broken down – so please call instead and we'll help you. Our dedicated mobile mechanics will fix your vehicle by the roadside or, if necessary, tow you to a nearby garage.
The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
What is the criteria for being allowed to join AA Alcoholics Anonymous? ›There are no age or education requirements to participate. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about their drinking problem. A.A.'s primary purpose is to help alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
Can you do AA without a sponsor? ›Having an AA sponsor is not required, but it is very advantageous. Sponsors are people in recovery who offer mentorship to facilitate recovery. By engaging with a sponsor, the person in recovery gains access to support and accountability, which would be hard to get elsewhere.
Can the AA get into my car? ›
If you're locked out, we can open the lock to get you back in your car . Our equipment reads the key design from the car's lock so we can copy it. We'll pick a blank key or fob to suit your vehicle from the range carried in our vans. We can usually cut and program a replacement key in around 40 minutes.
Can you be friends with people in AA? ›It is very easy to make new friends at AA because when you first get there a card is handed around and everyone puts their name and number on it so you can call people if you need help or even a friend.
Do I need to stay in AA forever? ›The program can help some people bring order to issues like work, relationships, finances, and so forth. But not everyone. The bottom line is your safety and well-being. If you find you can have a happy, sober life without AA, there is no “law” that you have to stay.
Are there no dues or fees for AA membership? ›There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes.
Where do you start with AA? ›- Speak at an AA Meeting. Some AA meetings give all participants a chance to speak. ...
- Tell Someone If You Feel Like Drinking. ...
- Work With A Counselor And/Or Get An AA Sponsor. ...
- Tell Someone If You Do Drink.
You can attend AA meetings in person if you prefer face-to-face interaction or you can join the meetings online. This article provides an overview of AA, describes what to expect at an online AA meeting, the types of AA meetings, and the effectiveness of online AA meetings.
What is Alcoholics Anonymous a type of? ›Alcoholics Anonymous is the largest and oldest alcohol support group in the world. The organization is dedicated helping members overcome alcoholism.
Should a man sponsor a woman in AA? ›Consider the sex of your sponsor.
It is often suggested that women should sponsor women and men should sponsor men. For many, it is more natural and comfortable to speak to someone of the same sex when it comes to the sensitive and sometimes private information exchanging in a sponsor and sponsee relationship.
Trivia: Why were some sponsees called pigeons in early AA(because pigeons carry messages). What did they call it in early AA when a person got their first Sponsee (they called it “getting your feather”) You were not considered fully in AA until you had gotten your feather.
Does the AA Big Book say you have to have a sponsor? ›Sponsorship becomes a part of the program. Sponsorship wasn't associated with Alcoholics Anonymous in the beginning; in fact, nowhere in the first 164 pages of the Big Book — the section of the A.A. “Bible” that has remained largely unchanged since it was first written — is the word “sponsor” even mentioned.