To carry the message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
A look at the many ways Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are conducted in Santa Fe, around the country and around the world—different formats and customs, with the same common purpose.
At some point, one meeting starts to feel different. Familiar.Comfortable.Yours. That’s a home group. Not because it’s perfect—but because you keep coming back. “We aren’t a glum lot.” (p. 132) You’ll find laughter there.And honesty.And people who notice when you’re…
Online Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings have expanded access to diverse sharing experiences, connecting individuals from various locations. Despite differing formats, the core purpose remains consistent: fostering relationships. Engaging actively with fellow alcoholics significantly aids recovery. Newcomers are encouraged to explore various meetings to find their supportive community.
AA exists in more than 180 countries. Walk into a meeting abroad and you may encounter different languages, customs, and formats. But something deeper cuts through all of that: Recognition.Connection.Understanding. “We are people who normally would not mix.” (p. 17)…
This post emphasizes the varied regional personalities of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings across the U.S. While some meetings are structured and focused on the Big Book, others foster a more casual atmosphere. It encourages newcomers to explore different meetings to find their ideal environment, highlighting the shared goal of recovery.
Not every meeting is about talking. Some create space for silence, reflection, or meditation. And for many of us, that’s not easy at first. But the program points us there: “We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious…
In Big Book meetings, the group reads directly from Alcoholics Anonymous and reflects on it together. Same words. Different meaning, depending on the day. “Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path.” (p. 58) For some, these…
Step meetings emphasize the Twelve Steps as personal experiences rather than theories, fostering honesty about what works and what doesn't. Change, not perfection, is the goal. Each individual follows their unique path to recovery, with support from a community. Newcomers are encouraged to explore various meetings to find their fit.
Discussion meetings foster shared experiences without cross-talk or debate, allowing participants to express their perspectives. This collective sharing leads to greater self-understanding, echoing the Big Book's reminder that knowledge is limited. Newcomers are encouraged to explore various meetings to find their supportive environment.
Speaker meetings center on one person telling their story:what it was like, what happened, and what it’s like now. For many of us, this is where something shifts. We stop comparing.We start identifying. The Big Book puts it simply: “We…
Many Rooms, One Fellowship emphasizes the diversity within Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings. They vary in atmosphere and structure, which is a strength rather than a flaw. Unity in AA doesn't require sameness; it's about shared purpose. Newcomers are encouraged to explore different meetings to find their right fit.