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Meetings welcome attendees from court programs and treatment facilities. The strength of our program lies in the voluntary nature of membership in A.A.; however many of us first attended meetings because we were pressured to by someone else. These same formats may be applied to group meetings on the Big Book or the Twelve Traditions. Many groups make it a practice to read aloud pertinent material from the Big Book or Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions at the beginning of the meeting.

What is the 13th Step in AA?

In some meetings, people are randomly called on, the thinking is, that it prevents the same people from constantly sharing, overriding the more shy, quieter people. In other meetings, at the end of the prayer, everyone may say a popular AA slogan, such as, «meeting makers make it.» Some will be large while others are small; some are connected to a treatment program, and some meetings will feel more religious than others. In some cases, they announce that it is time for the Lord’s Prayer, and everyone stands in a large circle, holding hands, and recites the prayer.

The Addiction Cycle: Stages, Brain Mechanisms & How to Break Free

You likely don’t know what to expect or you have false images about AA meetings from the media, pop culture, and other alcoholics. Some people are ordered by a court to go to meetings and may feel resentful about being forced to attend. Remember that everyone in AA had to walk into their first meeting at one time in their life, so you are not alone in feeling scared, anxious, or apprehensive.

Past Mistakes Don’t Define You

Struggles are a common theme during Sharing Time, as many members find it therapeutic to voice their difficulties in a room full of people who genuinely understand. Whether it’s dealing with cravings, repairing relationships, or navigating life without alcohol, these stories remind everyone that recovery is not a linear process. By sharing their vulnerabilities, attendees not only lighten their emotional burden but also inspire others who may be facing similar challenges. The act of listening and relating to these stories creates a powerful sense of connection and solidarity. Most open meetings follow a more or less set pattern, although distinctive variations have developed in some areas. If you are an introvert, or if you are simply not ready to go to a meeting by yourself, consider bringing a friend along.

You might choose to volunteer at a local shelter or donate time to helping seniors. You may even end up sponsoring someone else one day. The key is to serve others and find your purpose in life now that alcohol is not in it. A meeting starts with a bunch of traditional readings, and a chairperson will ask for volunteers to do these readings. While members may be happy about seeing new faces in a meeting, they won’t go out of their way to make you the center of attention. With similar experiences as yours, they know better than to overstep and presume boundaries.

The first step is to know that your questions and feelings are normal. The next step is to talk to someone about those feelings. In this video, Isabel Donnelly, addiction specialist, and Mountainside Alumni Outreach Coordinator, shares a few helpful reminders to make your first AA meeting go more smoothly. Dinovitz Counseling LLC is a results driven mental health counseling and therapy practice serving the Philadelphia and Bala Cynwyd area (+ licensed in Maryland). Also, please note that you do NOT need to be sober to attend, everything is confidential and any AA meeting will be completely free.

Sharing progress not only reinforces the speaker’s commitment to sobriety but also motivates others to stay on their path. It serves as a reminder that recovery is possible and that every step forward, no matter how modest, is worth acknowledging and celebrating. Says she waited for many meetings before making the decision to introduce herself as an alcoholic and to accept her first chip. If you aren’t sure if you are an alcoholic, find an «open» what to expect at an aa meeting meeting to attend in your area. Many non-alcoholics may attend these and no one assumes because you are there that you are alcoholic.

Who goes to AA meetings? Common Meeting Formats

• Addiction is an isolating disease, so it’s easy to feel abandoned.
• It is a deeply personal and often emotional part of the closing, fostering a sense of connection to oneself and the group.
• You likely don’t know what to expect or you have false images about AA meetings from the media, pop culture, and other alcoholics.

The We Level Up Treatment Center Network delivers recovery programs that vary by each treatment facility. Meetings and each meeting takes on the feel of their local area. At most meetings, you will hear members talk about what drinking did to them and those around them. Most also share what actions they took to stop drinking and how they are living their lives today.

Your group members will be supportive, compassionate and proud of your accomplishments. People who put their number in this book do so because they really do want to help. It isn’t required of anyone to do so but it keeps with the tradition of AA that when alcoholic calls for help, the helping hand of AA will be there. Midway through the meeting, there is usually a period for local AA announcements, and a treasurer passes the hat to defray costs of the meeting hall, literature, and incidental expenses. The meeting adjourns, often followed by informal visiting over coffee or other light refreshments.

• This can help take the pressure off during your first meeting, giving you time to get more comfortable and familiar with how meetings work.
• They’ll let you know about other meetings, and they may give you literature or a book or a schedule or tell you about other meetings.
• Sharing is voluntary, and it’s common for newcomers to introduce themselves as visitors without sharing their story.
• Begin with a free call to an addiction & behavioral health treatment advisor.
• This openness helps build trust and camaraderie, which are essential for the healing process in AA.
• Some meetings may be as short as thirty minutes, while others may be as long as two hours.

Your past experiences shape who you are as a person, but they don’t have to define you. This is something that you will learn about in AA as other members share their stories. Some of these people will have their acts together to the point where you wouldn’t know they struggled with addiction. Just as they’ve moved past their mistakes, so can you. Each starts off by introducing themselves as, “Hello, my name is (first name) and I’m an alcoholic.” Just as in the movies, everyone responds with, “Hello (first name)! ” After they complete their “story” everyone in the room thanks them.

What to Know About Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor. The core of the meeting involves members sharing perspectives and experiences related to an identified topic. Hollywood is instrumental in the misconceptions people have about AA meetings. It often depicts these gatherings in a way that highlights newcomers, which can be anxiety-inducing for some. Alcoholics Anonymous is a well-established program that’s been around for a long time.

Alcohol and Breastfeeding: Crucial Research Safety Expert Guidelines, Risks, and Evidence-Based Treatments.

But there is no obligation to share if that would make you uncomfortable. Declining does not exclude you from participating in the rest of the meeting if you eventually feel like doing so. So while AA members will likely approach you, especially if you identify yourself as new, the environment is meant to be welcoming rather than demanding.

This part of the story often highlights the importance of acceptance, surrender, and the willingness to seek help. The act of reading aloud is intentional—it creates a communal experience where everyone is engaged in the same message. This shared focus strengthens the bond among members, reminding them that they are part of something larger than themselves. The readings also provide a sense of continuity, connecting current meetings to the decades of experience and wisdom embedded in AA literature. For newcomers, hearing these principles articulated can be both comforting and enlightening, offering a clear roadmap for their recovery journey. Finally, the Opening & Introductions segment concludes once everyone who wishes to speak has had the opportunity to do so.