There are Alcoholics Anonymous meetings all around the world. Just about every country has chapters, and most big cities have multiple meetings every day. Meetings types vary. Some are open to the public, while others are closed and designed to protect anonymityAlcoholics Anonymous and all the 12 step groups modeled after it, protect the anonymity of its members. Members are forbidden from disclosing the identity of other addicts to outside sources or identifying themselves with the group on any form of public media. The idea behind this is to focus on the.... There are meetings designed exclusively for men or women and co-ed meetings as well. Therefore, every memberAn individual who attends 12-step program meetings and has the desire to overcome addiction. of the fellowshipThis refers to the members of AA and the bonds of support between them. It is this fellowship that allows addicts to share their stories and accept each other in a world that is not always understanding. should be able to find the right arrangement for them.
Regional Service Centers
Many cities and counties have serviceAA and other 12-step fellowships do not normally have employees. Instead, members volunteer and take roles necessary for the operation of the different groups and the larger infrastructure of the fellowship. Common roles of service include secretary, treasurer, and chairing meetings. centers dedicated to local AA chapters. Many of them operate hotlines, sometimes 24-hour ones, which you can contact to find a meeting nearby.
Volunteer members of the fellowship answer the hotlines and are eager to help newcomers. They will tell you which meetings are currently available and open. They can also help newcomers find an individual to meet with them and prepare them for the first meeting.
Local AA directories list all of the meetings in their areas. However, the guides are often closed to non-members.
Use the AA.org Website
If you are looking for a meeting in the United States or Canada, one great place to look is the AA.org website. It has resources for every state and province in the two countries. Many states and provinces have a 24-hour hotline, which you can use to locate meetings nearby in the area. While there are meetings in most places, they may be harder to find in some more rural areas.
These resources, divided according to state and province, are the best place to start. The full list is available here: https://www.aa.org/pages/en_US/find-local-aa
Attend Online Meetings
In that case, you may want to look into attending online meetings. These have become increasingly common in recent years and are even more plentiful since COVID-19 hit. If you do not have a computer, you may be able to access meetings using computers available at a local library.
Related: Find a Virtual Online Meeting for Each 12 Step Program
A useful resource for finding online meetings is available at https://aa-intergroup.org/oiaa/meetings/ Chapters organize arrangements according to members’ specific needs. They include sessions designed for the visually or hearing impaired as well as those conducted in different languages.
Finding Meetings Internationally
Over the years, Alcoholics AnonymousThe original 12-step fellowship, formed in 1935, to help alcoholics, regain control over their lives. It remains the largest 12-step organization and has contributed to the sobriety of millions worldwide. Read more about Alcoholics Anonymous has opened chapters throughout the world. Even countries where grass-roots organizations and civil society organizations are frowned upon often have AA chapters.
The organization and structure of AA in different countries can vary wildly. You can find a listing for national organizations at https://www.aa.org/pages/en_US/find-local-aa/world/1
While this list includes many websites and numbers, it is almost certainly incomplete. If you are outside of North America and looking for a meeting to attend, try local search engines and listings. It may be a good idea to run searches in both English and the local language.
Hospitals and Prisons
If you have experienced a severe disruption to your regular life, whether in the circumstances related to alcoholism or not, AA meetings may still be available to you.
AA has worked with and through hospitals from its inception. Therefore, many hospitals and treatmentA blanket term for concentrated efforts to help addicts transition to a healthier life. These can include any of the following (in isolation or combination): therapy, counseling, medication, harm reduction, or moderation. centers regularly hold meetings. If you are hospitalized or in a treatment facility, ask the staff at the facility about the availability of meetings.
If you or your loved one have been incarcerated, they may still be able to attend meetings. Hundreds of groups run regularly in prisons throughout North America. Many correctional institutions encourage the organization of AA fellowships, which can contribute to the rehabilitation of inmates.
Starting Your Group
When beginning your recovery, it is advisable to join a group with experienced members to guide you. However, keep in mind that anyone can start an AA groupThe group is made up of addicted individuals who meet regularly to support their members in recovery. They are self-funding entities with volunteers who lead groups, handle money, and make other arrangements. More on their own. Therefore, if you cannot find the right meeting for you, creating your own is an option.
All one would need to start a group is two alcoholics with a strong desire to maintain a life of recoveryThe process by which addicts attempt to break the hold a certain substance or behavior has on their lives. This can refer to participation in a wide variety of methods. What they all have in common, is a sense that life is improving and the addict is regaining control. and a willingness to follow AA’s 12-traditions.
Conclusion
There is a wide range of meetings available throughout the world to help addicts in need. There are several tools and methods available to find them. Wherever you or your loved one are at this time, you can get the help you need.
