Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a fellowship of individuals who share their experiences to support one another in recovering from a drinking problem. This support is facilitated primarily through meetings. These gatherings are intentionally diverse in structure and attendance rules to meet the varied needs of a wide population. Understanding the different types of AA meetings helps newcomers and observers find a setting where their recovery journey can begin.
The Fundamental Distinction: Open Versus Closed
The first distinction when reviewing an AA meeting schedule is the attendance policy, which divides meetings into open or closed formats. Open meetings welcome anyone interested in the AA program, including individuals who are not alcoholics themselves. Family members, friends, students researching the program, or members of the general public may attend an open meeting as observers to learn about recovery.
Closed meetings, by contrast, are strictly reserved for those who self-identify as having a drinking problem or who express a desire to stop drinking. This restriction creates a more private and secure environment for members to share personal details and struggles without concern for outside judgment or compromise of their anonymity. The presence of only those who share the common problem fosters a deeper level of identification and trust.
Categorization by Meeting Format
Beyond attendance rules, meetings are categorized by how the time is structured and what type of content is presented, offering varied approaches to the principles of recovery.
Speaker Meetings
Speaker meetings are a common format where one or two members are selected beforehand to share their personal journey with the group. These individuals describe their life during active alcoholism, how they found Alcoholics Anonymous, and how their life has changed since achieving sobriety. The purpose of a speaker meeting is to offer hope and inspiration through the lived experience of another member.
Discussion Meetings
Discussion meetings focus on rotating participation, where a leader or chairperson selects a topic, often a theme from AA literature, for the group to discuss. Members then take turns sharing their personal experience, strength, and hope related to that specific topic. This format encourages broader participation and allows multiple members to contribute their insights.
Study Meetings
Study meetings dedicate the meeting time to an in-depth examination of the program’s foundational texts. Step study meetings focus on reading and discussing one of the Twelve Steps in rotation. Big Book study meetings focus on the text Alcoholics Anonymous, reading passages aloud and discussing their meaning and relevance to recovery. These literature-focused formats provide a structured approach to understanding the mechanics of the recovery program.
Specialized Group Focus
Many meetings are distinguished by a specialized focus, catering to specific demographics or unique circumstances. Demographic meetings are designed to bring together individuals who share a common characteristic that may influence their experience in recovery. Examples include men’s meetings, women’s meetings, or meetings for young people, which foster a sense of shared identity.
Other meetings are topic-specific, focusing on the needs of a particular phase of recovery or a setting. Beginner or newcomer meetings are structured to help those new to the fellowship understand the basic concepts of the program, often focusing on the first three of the Twelve Steps. Meetings are also held in institutional settings, such as hospitals or correctional facilities. These specialized groups help ensure that the message of recovery is accessible and relatable to diverse populations.