Learn more about the difference great AA meetings can make in alcoholism recovery and how to find one near you.
If you or your loved one is interested in attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, you have come to the right place. At Soledad House, we offer one of the best Alcoholics Anonymous programs for our residents here in San Diego, California.
Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of AA meetings in our facility and the positive impact that great AA meetings can have on your recovery and overall well-being.
Alcoholics Anonymous programs involve meetings, sponsors, and 12-Step programs that are geared toward ensuring abstinence and long-term recovery. Members also offer one another support and effective tips to resist the urge to drink.
AA meetings vary by group, but they typically last an hour or an hour and a half. Most AA groups also have a secretary who runs the meeting, a leader who begins the sharing, and attendees, i.e., the remaining members. Meanwhile, one can attend drug and alcohol anonymous meetings as often as necessary, depending on their needs.
AA meetings are available in different forms to suit specific needs. Some meetings are classified as “open,” which means it’s open to the public, while “closed” meetings are private.
One of the benefits of great AA meetings is that it makes sobriety less lonely for people struggling with alcohol abuse. Open meetings are public and welcome anyone, including those with or without an alcohol abuse disorder. This means that meetings can include members, their loved ones, employees, and anyone willing to learn about the AA recovery program.
Open meetings don’t require participation and usually help members understand the purpose of AA meetings. People attending open AA meetings can learn about addiction and find expert recovery tips. Many people have also been actively sober after being put in AA meetings by a third party like a doctor, friend, or any of their loved ones.
Closed meetings are only open to people who personally struggle with alcoholism. Many AA for drug addiction and alcohol abuse programs also have closed meetings for their members.
Members share their stories about why they are attending AA and the impact AA has made on their recovery. Closed meetings also have codes and symbols which help define the theme and topic for every meeting. It also encourages networking and allows people from different backgrounds to find community in sobriety.
Apart from the different types of great AA meetings, you can also consider the meeting format before attending a program. The typical format for most AA programs is detailed below.
During a discussion meeting, an AA member serves as a “chair” or leader and opens a topic for discussion. There may be a different chair at each meeting, and the theme or topic comes from AA literature. It can also involve a reading or recitation where all members can participate in the group discussion..
Speaker meetings give members a platform to discuss their experiences with alcohol use disorder. The chair may also start by sharing their story or choosing a member to speak with during the meeting. This can also open the floor for other members to share their stories.
The leader will introduce the group members for beginner meetings and encourage first-timers to introduce themselves. Though it’s quite similar to the speaker format, the main speaker is the newcomer.
Alcoholics Anonymous’s steps and traditions originate from the “Big Book,” the main piece of AA literature. It outlines the relevant traditions and processes for AA meetings to ensure long-term recovery. Many AA meetings involve readings and recitations from the big book, usually led by the chair.
Alcoholics Anonymous steps are the general guidelines that helped the AA founders and many participants on their path to recovery. The 12 Steps are found in Chapter 5, “How It Works,” of the Big Book. These are the principles or traditions that members must work through to quit alcohol abuse.
During Alcoholics Anonymous 12-Step meetings, participants may partner with a sponsor (another AA member) to work through the steps. AA sponsors can provide additional support throughout the recovery even in the case of a relapse.
When attending AA for drug addiction or alcohol abuse, you can keep an open mind and expect to share your story with people with alcohol use disorder.
No, you do not have to be religious to attend AA. Although most Alcoholics Anonymous services are faith-based, they are open to anyone, regardless of beliefs.
Generally, great AA meetings are voluntary and the only rule stated in the preamble of the AA Big Book is the desire to stop drinking.
The Alcoholics Anonymous statistics from the Big Book boast a 50% success rate, with 25% remaining sober after.2
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) has also discovered that about 10% of the participants of the 12-Step program enjoy a successful long-term recovery.
AA meetings in a residential treatment program offer structured support and can help to ensure long-term recovery. It also utilizes 12-Step principles and traditions members can work through to reach sobriety.
AA encourages peer support, and members can partner with sponsors who inspire them to abstain from drinking and support them through the challenges of staying sober.
Great AA meetings lower the chance of relapse, and AA support groups help members build a strong social network, making the recovery journey less lonely. Addiction treatment centers also provide psychotherapy to help people work through the emotions that might trigger a relapse.
The program is available worldwide, so you or your loved one can attend AA meetings in your locality or while traveling.
The AA 12-Step program is simple, straightforward, and based on real-life experiences, which makes the journey to recovery seem less intimidating.4
Alcoholics Anonymous is offered to the public at no cost, so you can attend meetings for free. You can also sign up for a cost-effective drug rehab facility to get a more comprehensive treatment program.
Soledad House is a serene addiction treatment facility for women who struggle with alcohol use disorder. It is a faith-based program that helps women find support and where they can work through the 12-Step program to achieve sobriety. Our team is here to help our patients achieve sobriety with a program that is tailored to their specific needs.
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction, contact us today to learn more about our programs.
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