Walking into an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting for the first time can feel intimidating, especially when you don’t know what happens at an AA meeting or what will be expected of you.
The good news is that you don’t need to know exactly what to say or do before attending. AA meetings are peer-led gatherings where people share their experiences with drinking, recovery, and staying sober. Meeting formats vary, but many include readings, group discussion or a speaker, and opportunities for members to share. You generally don’t have to speak or tell your story simply because you’re new.
Knowing what to expect at your first AA meeting can make walking through the door—or joining an online meeting—feel a little less uncertain.
What Is an AA Meeting?
Alcoholics Anonymous is a peer-support fellowship for people who want to stop drinking. AA is based on a 12-step approach to recovery, and meetings provide an opportunity for people to connect with others who have faced similar challenges with alcohol.
AA describes the purpose of its meetings as allowing members to share their experiences with alcoholism and recovery and discuss what they have done to stop drinking and how they live today.
AA meetings aren’t professional therapy sessions. They’re led by AA members rather than doctors, therapists, or other healthcare professionals.
For some people, AA and other mutual-support groups become one part of a broader recovery plan. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) notes that mutual-support groups can provide an additional layer of support alongside professional treatment.
What Happens at an AA Meeting?
So, what happens at an AA meeting when you actually arrive?
There isn’t one universal format. Individual AA groups determine how their meetings are conducted, so your experience may differ somewhat depending on which meeting you attend.
A typical AA meeting may include:
- An opening from the meeting chairperson
- A moment of silence or prayer
- Readings from AA literature
- Introductions or recognition of newcomers
- A speaker or group discussion
- Members sharing experiences related to alcohol and recovery
- Announcements about the group
- A closing statement, moment of silence, or prayer
Some meetings focus on a particular recovery topic. Others study one of the Twelve Steps or AA literature. Speaker meetings may feature one or more members telling the story of their drinking and recovery.
Regardless of the format, the central idea is generally the same: people with experience dealing with alcohol problems come together to support one another in recovery.
What Should You Expect When You First Arrive?
Your experience begins before the meeting officially starts.
For an in-person meeting, you may find people talking casually as they enter the room. Depending on the location, there may be chairs arranged in a circle, rows, or around tables.
Someone may greet you when you arrive, but you don’t need to explain why you’re there.
If you’re unsure where to go or whether you’re in the right room, you can simply tell someone you’re looking for the AA meeting. You can also mention that it’s your first meeting if you’re comfortable doing so.
AA notes that meetings are held in many different settings, including churches, community centers, treatment facilities, office buildings, clubhouses, parks, and other spaces. Online and telephone meetings are also available.
Do You Have to Introduce Yourself at an AA Meeting?
You may have heard the familiar introduction, “Hi, my name is ___,” associated with AA meetings.
That doesn’t mean you will automatically be required to introduce yourself.
According to Alcoholics Anonymous, the meeting chair may ask whether anyone attending is new and would like to introduce themselves, but identifying yourself as a newcomer isn’t mandatory.
If you decide to introduce yourself, you can keep it simple. You don’t have to explain your drinking history, discuss why you’re attending, or tell the group your entire story.
Your first meeting can simply be an opportunity to listen.
Do You Have to Talk at Your First AA Meeting?
Generally, no.
One of the biggest concerns people have before their first AA meeting is being asked to speak in front of strangers.
While meetings often include opportunities for members to share, you don’t have to tell your story simply because you’re new. If you’re invited to speak and aren’t comfortable doing so, you can usually decline.
Listening can be valuable, particularly during your first few meetings.
You may hear people discuss:
- What their drinking was like
- Problems alcohol created in their lives
- Why they decided to stop drinking
- Challenges they’ve experienced in recovery
- Strategies that help them stay sober
- Relationships and family
- The Twelve Steps
- Experiences with cravings or relapse
- How their lives have changed in recovery
The exact discussion will depend on the meeting and the people attending that day.
What Are the Different Types of AA Meetings?
Not every AA meeting works the same way. Understanding the meeting description before attending can help you choose one that feels appropriate.
Open AA Meetings
An open AA meeting can be attended by anyone interested in learning about Alcoholics Anonymous.
That can include people experiencing problems with alcohol as well as family members, friends, healthcare professionals, students, and other observers.
If you’re unsure whether AA is right for you and simply want to see what a meeting is like, an open meeting may be a comfortable place to start.
Closed AA Meetings
A closed AA meeting is intended for AA members or people who have a drinking problem and have a desire to stop drinking.
If you’re attending because you’re concerned about your own drinking and want help stopping, you may attend a closed meeting.
Discussion Meetings
A discussion meeting typically centers on a particular recovery-related topic.
The chairperson may introduce the subject, and members can share their own experiences and perspectives.
Speaker Meetings
At a speaker meeting, one or more AA members spend time sharing their personal experiences with drinking and recovery.
You’ll often hear about what life was like before sobriety, what led the person toward recovery, and what their life is like now.
Beginners Meetings
Beginners meetings are designed with newcomers in mind.
They may cover foundational topics, including the first few Twelve Steps, and provide an introduction to how AA works.
Step or Literature Meetings
Some groups dedicate meetings to studying the Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, the book Alcoholics Anonymous—commonly called the Big Book—or other AA literature.
How Long Does an AA Meeting Last?
Meeting length varies by group.
The meeting listing may tell you when the meeting starts and ends, so checking the details beforehand can help you know how much time to set aside.
You aren’t required to stay afterward, although some members choose to.
Alcoholics Anonymous notes that people often gather and talk once a meeting ends. For newcomers, this can provide an opportunity to meet other members, ask questions, or learn more about the group.
Whether you stay and socialize is entirely your choice.
Are AA Meetings Religious?
AA has spiritual elements, and you may hear references to a “Higher Power,” the Serenity Prayer, or other prayers during some meetings.
That can make newcomers wonder whether they have to follow a particular religion to participate.
AA isn’t affiliated with a particular religious denomination, but spirituality is part of its traditional 12-step approach. Individual meetings and members may approach spirituality differently.
If the spiritual component of AA doesn’t feel right for you, other mutual-support options exist. NIAAA identifies alternatives including SMART Recovery, LifeRing, Women for Sobriety, and secular recovery groups.
The important thing is finding support that works for your recovery needs.
Are AA Meetings Confidential?
Anonymity is a longstanding principle of Alcoholics Anonymous.
AA emphasizes protecting the privacy of both new and longtime members. If you’re worried about recognizing someone you know, AA states that other attendees are there for the same general reason and are expected to respect anonymity.
However, AA meetings aren’t the same as professional healthcare services, and you shouldn’t assume they carry the same legal confidentiality protections as treatment provided by licensed healthcare professionals.
Do AA Meetings Cost Money?
You don’t typically have to pay an admission fee to attend an AA meeting.
Individual groups may collect voluntary contributions from members to cover expenses associated with operating the group, but you don’t have to let financial concerns prevent you from attending your first meeting.
This accessibility is one reason mutual-support groups can serve as an ongoing source of recovery support.
Can You Attend an AA Meeting Online?
Yes.
AA meetings can take place in person, online, or over the telephone.
Online formats vary. Some use video conferencing with cameras on, while others allow participants to keep their cameras off. Telephone meetings may use a conference-call format.
An online AA meeting may be worth considering if transportation, location, scheduling, mobility, privacy, or other circumstances make attending an in-person meeting difficult.
What Happens After Your First AA Meeting?
Nothing is automatically required of you after attending.
You may decide to talk with members after the meeting, attend another meeting, learn more about the Twelve Steps, or explore other recovery resources.
You also don’t have to decide whether AA is right for you based on a single experience.
Different AA groups can have different personalities and meeting formats. NIAAA recommends that people interested in mutual-support groups consider trying different options to find one that feels like a good fit.
Finding a group where you feel comfortable may take some time.
Is AA the Same as Addiction Treatment?
AA can play an important role in recovery, but an AA meeting isn’t the same thing as professional alcohol addiction treatment.
AA is peer-led. Professional treatment may involve licensed counselors, physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, or other qualified healthcare providers.
Depending on someone’s needs, alcohol use disorder treatment can include behavioral therapies, medications, outpatient treatment, residential treatment, or combinations of these approaches.
NIAAA notes that mutual-support groups can complement professionally delivered treatment and provide ongoing social support.
If you’re unsure what level of help you need, speaking with a qualified healthcare professional or addiction treatment provider can help you explore appropriate options.
Finding an AA Meeting Near You
If you’ve been wondering what happens at an AA meeting, attending one can give you a better sense of whether this type of peer support feels right for you.
Remember that you don’t need to arrive knowing what to say. You can attend, listen, learn how the meeting works, and decide what you want to do next.
Because every group is a little different, one meeting doesn’t necessarily represent the entire AA experience.
Find AA meetings near you to explore meetings in your area, including available meeting locations and schedules.
Frequently Asked Questions About Your First AA Meeting
What happens at your first AA meeting?
Your first AA meeting will depend on the group’s format, but you can generally expect readings, introductions, discussion or a speaker, and members sharing their experiences with alcohol and recovery. You can attend primarily to listen and learn how the meeting works.
Do I have to say I’m an alcoholic at an AA meeting?
You don’t have to introduce yourself as a newcomer if you aren’t comfortable doing so. AA states that introducing yourself at your first meeting isn’t mandatory.
Can I just show up to an AA meeting?
Many AA meetings allow newcomers to attend without advance registration. However, check the meeting listing beforehand to confirm the location, time, meeting format, and whether the meeting is open or closed.
Can I attend AA if I’m not sure I’m an alcoholic?
Open AA meetings are available to anyone interested in AA’s program of recovery, including nonalcoholic observers. Closed meetings are intended for AA members and people who have a drinking problem and want to stop drinking.
Can I bring someone with me to an AA meeting?
Someone supporting you can attend an open AA meeting. Closed meetings are reserved for AA members and people who have a drinking problem and want to stop.
What should I bring to my first AA meeting?
You generally don’t need to bring anything special. Checking the meeting details beforehand can help you confirm the location, time, and type of meeting.
What if I don’t like my first AA meeting?
One meeting doesn’t represent every AA group. Meeting formats and group dynamics vary, so you may want to try another meeting before deciding whether AA is a good fit for you.
Sources
Alcoholics Anonymous. What to Expect at an A.A. Meeting.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Treatment for Alcohol Problems: Finding and Getting Help.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Long-Term Recovery Support.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder.