A weekly meeting schedule and a few starting points for anyone who wants to stop drinking and stay stopped, one day at a time. Newcomers are always welcome. You don't need to speak, and you don't need to give your last name.
This week
The Home Group Meeting on the 1st Saturday of the month is a business meeting open only to Home Group members. It's where group decisions and service action items are made.
If this is your first time
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other so they can solve their common problem and help others recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.
There are no dues or fees. Meetings are run entirely by members, with no professional staff, and nothing is expected of you beyond showing up.
What to expect
A short, quiet meeting to start the day. Usually discussion-based, with members sharing briefly on a topic or reading. Open to anyone.
A study meeting that works through the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, one at a time, over the course of each cycle. For those working the program.
The main evening meeting. Format varies by night (discussion, speaker, or Big Book study). For those working the program.
A meeting for men to discuss topics specific to their experience in recovery.
A business meeting for Home Group members only. This is where the group makes decisions together and assigns service action items, not a recovery-discussion meeting.
Common questions
No. You're welcome to just listen for as many meetings as you'd like. Many people attend several times before saying anything at all.
Yes. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. You don't need to be certain, and you don't need to have "hit bottom" in any particular way. Open meetings are especially suited for this; closed meetings are for anyone who has, or thinks they might have, a drinking problem.
Anonymity is AA's core Tradition. Who attends and what's said in the room isn't repeated outside it. Using first names only is standard practice, in person and online.
A sponsor is another AA member, further along in recovery, who guides someone newer through the Steps on a one-to-one basis. It's not required to attend meetings, but most members find one helpful. You can ask about finding a sponsor at any meeting.
Come back. Relapse doesn't disqualify anyone from AA, and many long-term members had setbacks along the way. Meetings remain open regardless.
No dues or fees. Most meetings pass a basket for voluntary donations to cover rent and coffee, but contributing is never required.
Open meetings welcome family and friends. If it's specifically a loved one's drinking you want support around, Al-Anon (a separate, related fellowship) may be an even better fit. See the resources below.
Keep going
Read
Alcoholics Anonymous, the basic text of the program, free to read on aa.org.
aa.org/the-big-book →Read
Essays on the Steps and the Traditions that hold each group together.
aa.org/twelve-steps-twelve-traditions →Listen & watch
Official AA Grapevine channel with member stories, open meetings, and talks.
youtube.com/aagrapevine →Find a meeting anywhere
The official AA meeting finder for iOS and Android, with over 100,000 weekly meetings.
aa.org/meeting-guide-app →Traveling or relocating
Locate meetings, intergroups, and service offices anywhere in the world.
aa.org/find-aa →General service
The main site of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, with history, FAQs, and more.
aa.org →For families & friends
A separate fellowship for people affected by someone else's drinking, offering support for you whether or not they seek help.
al-anon.org →