Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a global mutual aid fellowship dedicated to helping individuals achieve and maintain sobriety from alcohol. Since its founding in 1935, AA has provided a supportive community for millions seeking a way to live without drinking. Asking whether you should attend a meeting is a profound first step, showing a willingness to explore a different path. The program offers a structured, peer-led approach focused on shared experience and personal change.
Determining Your Eligibility
The sole requirement for membership in Alcoholics Anonymous is a desire to stop drinking. This standard is intentionally broad and is the only criterion needed to attend a meeting. AA does not define who is an “alcoholic,” nor does it require a formal diagnosis from a medical professional. The decision to attend is entirely personal, based on your own assessment of whether alcohol has become a problem. AA is a spiritual, non-professional program focused on peer support and recovery principles, and it should not be considered a substitute for professional clinical care, especially for detoxification or co-occurring mental health issues.
Understanding Meeting Types and Anonymity
When considering attending, it helps to understand the two main types of meetings. Closed Meetings are exclusively for those who desire to stop drinking, creating a private space for members to discuss their experiences with alcohol and recovery. Open Meetings are open to anyone interested in the AA program, including:
- Non-alcoholics
- Students
- Family members
- Professionals who wish to observe
Meeting formats vary, but common types include speaker meetings, where members share their personal story of addiction and recovery, and discussion meetings, which focus on a specific topic, AA literature, or a step. A fundamental principle across all meetings is anonymity, which ensures a safe, non-judgmental environment. Members typically use only their first names, and newcomers are never obligated to speak or share personal details.
The principle of anonymity extends beyond the meeting room; what is said and who is seen should not be repeated outside. This practice is protective, allowing people to attend without fear that their presence will be disclosed to the public or their employer. Newcomers are encouraged to simply sit and listen to determine if they relate to the experiences being shared.
The Core Principles of the AA Program
The underlying mechanism of recovery in AA is rooted in its Twelve Steps, which serve as a suggested course of action for personal change. These steps guide individuals through a process that includes admitting powerlessness over alcohol, examining past harms, making amends, and seeking a spiritual awakening. The program is spiritual, not religious, encouraging members to define a “Higher Power” as they understand it. This Higher Power can be anything from a traditional deity to the collective power of the group.
The Twelve Traditions, separate from the steps, are guidelines that govern how the AA group functions and maintains its unity and public relations. These traditions ensure that groups remain focused on their primary purpose—helping the suffering alcoholic—and that the fellowship remains non-professional, non-political, and self-supporting. The steps provide the recovery path for the individual, while the traditions provide the structural foundation for the group.
A sponsor is an experienced member who has worked the steps and acts as a mentor, guiding a newcomer through the Twelve Steps and sharing their experience. This one-on-one relationship provides accountability and support, often serving as a first point of contact during sobriety challenges. While not a professional therapist, the sponsor helps the individual apply the program’s principles to daily life.
Taking the First Step: How to Find and Attend a Meeting
Finding a meeting is now easier than ever, with local AA intergroup offices maintaining up-to-date online directories and specialized smartphone apps. These resources allow searching by location, time, and specific format, including in-person, hybrid, or online-only options. The decision to attend a physical or virtual meeting is entirely up to you.
There are no fees for AA membership, and the meetings are free to attend. A collection is usually taken during the meeting to cover operational expenses like rent and coffee, but contributions are voluntary and not expected from newcomers. Arriving 10 to 15 minutes before the scheduled start time allows you to settle in and observe the room before the meeting begins.
If the first meeting does not feel like a fit, try a few different groups, as the personality and atmosphere can vary widely. Persistence is a common theme in early recovery, and finding a comfortable group can take time. The only action required is to show up; the simple act of attending is often the hardest part of the process.