So you've found your way to Alcoholics Anonymous, maybe you've already found a meeting to attend, but you're not too sure what to do next. Can I just show up? Do I have to sign up somewhere? Do I have to talk? Does it cost anything? Can my spouse attend with me?. These are all very common questions and we hope to explain what you can expect at your first meeting and define some of the terms that you may hear.

Some Brief History
First, Alcoholics Anonymous was co-founded by Bill W. and Dr. Bob back in the 1930's. After they got a group of about 100 sober members, they wrote a book about how they did it. This book, "Alcoholics Anonymous", also referred to as "The Big Book", is the basic text of how the program works and outlines the 12 Steps of recovery.

What do I need to do to attend a meeting?
There are no requirements to attend an AA meeting. You don't need to have a doctors note, court order, or drinking resume with you. In order to attend an AA meeting all you have to do is show up.

Does it cost anything?
There are no dues or fees to be able to attend an AA meeting, we are self supporting through our own contributions. At sometime during the meeting, a basket will be passed for contributions. Commonly people will place a dollar to two into the basket, these funds go to pay for the room, coffee, literature and help other functions of AA.

Are all the meetings the same?
If you've looked through our meeting schedule you may have noticed "open" and "closed" meetings. "Closed" meetings are only for alcoholics, meaning someone who has the desire to stop drinking. The topics people talk about in such meetings are usually more aimed at applying the 12 Steps, or issues surrounding recovery. "Open" meetings are open to everyone. You may bring family members to these meetings, or if you're not quite sure if you're an alcoholic and would like some more information about AA, you would want to attend an "open" meeting.

I've found a meeting that meets close to home, now what?
Once you've found a meeting to attend, plan on arriving a few minutes early. Meetings can be held at a veriety of places; meeting halls, restaurant, school room, and sometimes is church basements. Just because a meeting is held in a church doesn't mean that the meeting is held for that religion. While AA's often refer to a "Higher Power", we leave the interpretation of that "Higher Power" up to the individual. Once you arrive at the meeting, go on in find someplace to sit down and grab a cup of coffee. Coffee is a staple at most meetings and is always free. You may notice someone at a head table or front of the room getting papers together, that is probably the secretary. The secretary is in charge of running the meeting, and making sure the meeting starts and ends on time. It might be a good idea to introduce yourself to the secretary and explain that you're new to AA. They will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have and will help you through your first meeting. Most meetings will last 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours. There are no breaks, but you're free to get up to refill your coffee cup, use the restroom, or go out for a smoke at any time.

What is a meeting like?
Once the meeting starts, the secretary will read some information on what AA is and how it works and then usually ask if there are any new people. At this time you'd raise your hand and introduce yourself to the group by your first name. The secretary will also ask if there are any AA birthdays (days since your last drink). Then the secretary will either talk about a topic for the meeting, or turn it over to a chairperson who will select and talk about a topic. Once they are done, they may either call on people or ask for volunteers to talk. If you are asked to talk, you can decline if you choose to. At sometime during the meeting a basket will be passed for contributions. If you are court ordered or in treatment and they require a slip to be signed, place your slip in the basket and it will be returned to you at the end of the meeting. There can be more than a few people in the meeting with a slip, so be sure to put your name on it so you can get the right one back. At the end of the meeting the group will stand up, hold hands and recite either the Serenity Prayer or the Lords Prayer. Again, if you don't feel comfortable reciting these prayers you don't need to. Once the meeting is over, people will usually stay around for a little while to talk with each other and some will go out for coffee and dessert.

That's really about it. The next thing is to find a meeting and go to it. If you have any other questions, please give us a call at 425-454-9192 or e-mail us.